Agent Orange Remembrance Day

Today, 10 August 2026, marks Agent Orange Remembrance Day, commemorating the beginning of the use of defoliants during the Vietnam War exactly 65 years ago. We are using this special day as an opportunity to draw attention to the particularly severe consequences of the spraying of Agent Orange, which persist to this day. Agent Orange was used during the Vietnam War by the US Air Force and US allies. To this day, many thousands of people in Vietnam continue to suffer from serious illnesses, disabilities and birth defects linked to exposure to the highly toxic dioxin it contained.

Central Vietnam, particularly the city of Hue and Quang Tri Province, is among the regions most severely affected by the long-term consequences of the war, and of the use of Agent Orange in particular. Countless people with disabilities and Agent Orange victims continue to face considerable challenges today in the areas of health, housing and living conditions, livelihood security and social participation.

For many families, financial hardship and a lack of accessible infrastructure represent major obstacles in everyday life. They make it harder for those affected to lead a self-determined life, while at the same time increasing their dependence on the support and care provided by family members.

In order to improve the quality of life of those affected, strengthen their ability to live independently and promote their social participation, Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH), together with the Action to the Community Development Institute (ACDC), is carrying out a holistic support programme in the city of Hue and in Quang Tri Province. The programme includes rehabilitation measures, the provision of assistive devices, support with securing livelihoods, improved access to clean water, the promotion of renewable energy, and measures to adapt housing to make it accessible.

Accessible housing

A central part of the programme is the creation of accessible housing for people with disabilities – disabilities linked to Agent Orange or to landmines still remaining in the soil. Accessibility within one’s own home is an essential prerequisite for those affected being able to live safely, independently and with dignity. Structural barriers such as inaccessible toilets, steps at house entrances, slippery floors, a lack of grab rails or inadequate sanitary facilities continue to pose considerable everyday problems for many of those affected. They severely restrict their independence in daily life and increase their dependence on family members. They also create a constant underlying risk of falls, along with further problems such as the absence of a proper, hygienic toilet.

As part of the support programme, structural barriers in the home are therefore being removed in 40 households, along with the necessary adaptations. This will make those homes safer, allowing people with disabilites to carry out everyday activities more comfortably and independently. The adaptations are always carried out on the basis of the individual needs and circumstances of each household, and in consultation with the local authorities.

Access to clean drinking water

In addition to the barriers within their own four walls, access to clean water is also a major challenge for many Vietnamese people in rural areas of Quang Trị Province, particularly for people with disabilities and those affected by Agent Orange. Many of them rely on unsafe water sources such as privately drilled or dug wells. In mountainous regions, people often draw their water from streams or other untreated water sources. Water quality also varies depending on the region and the season. This can have a direct impact on the health and living conditions of the population.

For people with disabilities, this situation proves especially burdensome because of their limited mobility. Many depend on support from family members to fetch water. Not infrequently, the nearest water source is located far from their homes. This not only increases the burden of care placed on family members, but also limits the ability of those affected to lead a more independent life.

The drinking water supply also presents challenges for institutions that provide important services and care for people with disabilities. For instance, some health stations (!) in rural areas still have to rely on untreated water or outdated water supply systems. This significantly affects both the quality of healthcare and the local population’s access to basic medical care.

Several care facilities for people with disabilities, for example, do not have sufficient water storage capacity to meet daily water needs. This is particularly true during the dry season or when water supplies are interrupted.

As part of the project carried out by GCCH and ACDC, needs-based measures are therefore being implemented to improve the drinking water supply. These include the drilling of wells, the installation of water filtration systems in households, connection to existing mains water systems, the construction of water storage tanks, and the creation of easier access to clean water in 23 households where people with disabilities live. Those affected and those responsible at the five supported care facilities will also receive advice on the safe use of water, on the operation and maintenance of water supply systems, and on the protection of water sources. These measures will be implemented between August and October 2026.

For people with disabilities and those affected by Agent Orange – particularly those living in low-income families at risk of poverty – the transformation or renovation of living spaces and easier access to clean water make a significant contribution to improving hygiene conditions and health. These measures also help reduce the challenges of daily life, strengthen the ability of those affected to look after themselves, and reduce their dependence on family members. Not least, these measures help to strengthen the dignity, safety, overall quality of life and social participation of those affected.