25 March 2005

Statement of INGO Representatives on

Supporting People Affected by Agent Orange in Vietnam

As individuals representing some of the more than 500 international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in all areas of Vietnam, we seek to address the consequences of poverty and war through many forms of development assistance. Among these consequences are the legacies of the wartime use of Agent Orange and other herbicides. From our work, we see that thirty years after the end of the war in Vietnam—and more than 40 years after herbicides were first used—thousands and perhaps millions of people are still affected by toxic residues in their bodies and the environment around them.

The organizations we work for respond to this human situation in many different ways. Some of us carry out direct assistance to people with disabilities. Others work to protect and remediate environments damaged by war and conflict. Yet others promote international understanding through education and exchange programs. All of us are in agreement that reaching poor and disadvantaged people, including those affected by Agent Orange, is essential to equitable development and the full attainment of human rights in Vietnam.

We are deeply disappointed by the decision of US District Court Judge Jack B. Weinstein to dismiss the lawsuit filed by a class of Vietnamese plaintiffs affected by Agent Orange. The Vietnamese who were exposed to these chemicals deserve the same chance for a full legal process that has been open to U.S. veterans. Should the Vietnamese plaintiffs decide to appeal the decision to a higher court, we support them in their struggle for a fair hearing. We also hope that the judge’s decision will foster a broad response among humanitarian organizations and people of good will around the world.

Regardless of the final outcome of the court case in the United States, further humanitarian assistance is urgently needed for people affected by Agent Orange. Organizations and donors who are already supporting programs in the areas of disability, health, environment, vocational training and income generation should make explicit their inclusion of dioxin-affected families and communities in this assistance. Participatory development approaches that have been pioneered by international NGOs, in cooperation with Vietnamese partners, should be extended to reach affected populations. We pledge to do our part to make justice for people affected by Agent Orange a tangible reality.

Sincerely yours,

[See attached list of 82 co-signers.]
(Organizational affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.)

No.	Name	Oganization
1.	Nguyen Thi Thuan	Project Officer, NMAV
2.	Van Thi Thu Ha	Program Officer, Oxfam solidarity Belgium
3.	Justin Hart	Field Representative, Volunteers in Asia (VIA)
4.	Andrew Wells-Dang	Regional Representative Fund for Reconciliation & Development
5.	Luong Minh Ngoc	OXFAM Quebec
6.	Nguyen Thi Kim Anh
7.	Nguyen Vu Phuong Lien
8.	Pham Thi Tan
9.	Dang Tran Phuong Anh
10.	Luu Hong Van
11.	Nguyen Thi Thanh Van
12.	Huong
13.	Dinh Thi Thu Phuong
14.	Nguyen Mai Chi
15.	Nguyen Thi Oanh
16.	Van Minh Chau
17.	Nguyen Thi Yen
18.	Tran Phuong Nam
19.	Nguyen Thi Phuong Tam
20.	Nguyen Quang Tuan
21.	Nguyen Thanh Ha
22.	Nguyen Quoc Tuan
23.	Nga
24.	Le Thi Bich Hang	Administration Manager, Save The Children UK
25.	Tran Kieu Thanh Ha	Media Officer, PATH Canada Vietnam
26.	Nguyen Hoai An	Project Officer- PATH Canada
27.	Pham Kim Ngoc	Admin./Finance Officer, Helen Keller International-Vietnam
28.	Thomas O'Brien	Project Director, Maryknoll Vietnam
29.	Tim Boyes-Watson	Country Director, VSO Vietnam
30.	Tran Thi Mai
31.	Luis Lechiguero	Representative in Vietnam, SPANISH RED CROSS
32.	David Payne	VUFO-NGO Resource Centre
33.	Phan Thu Ha	VUFO-NGO Resource Centre
34.	Giang Ngan Ha	VUFO-NGO Resource Centre
35.	Le Kim Dung	Oxfam GB
36.	Robin Shell	Country Representative, World Concern
37.	Arne Daae Hopland	Director, The Norwegian Mission Alliance (NMA)
38.	Margrit Schlosser	Delegate in Vietnam, Terre des hommes Foundation – Lausanne
39.	Dr Ramesh J Khadka	Country Director, ActionAid International, Vietnam
40.	Calder family (Jane Calder, George Calder Mairi Calder, aged 11 Angus Calder, aged 9)
41.	Patrick Le Folcalvez	Viet Nam country director, Handicap International (Belgium)
42.	Frank de Caires	CIDSE
43.	Pham Hong Kien
44.	Bernard KERVYN	Vietnam Plus
45.	Nguyen Thanh Ha	Oxfam Hong Kong
46.	Van Minh Chau
47.	Vu Thi Binh Minh	HVO
48.	Nguyen Bich Lien	CCF
49.	Dang Nguyen Phuong
50.	Ghulam Nabi Nizamani	Pakistan - WAPD
51.	John Berlow	Volunteer Coordinator for Organic Gardening Project, Vietnam Friendship Village
52.	Dan Rocovits	World Village Foundation
53.	Tran Thi Thanh Toan	Clear Path International
54.	Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy	Save the Children UK
55.	Nguyen Thi Thu Lien
56.	Sam Sternin
57.	Jez Stoner
58.	Ha Thi Kim Lien
59.	Nguyen Anh Thu
60.	Vu Tri Hoat
61.	Nguyen Huong Giang
62.	Nguyen Lan Anh	Communication Officer, Disability Forum
63.	Nguyen Duc Huynh	Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
64.	Dr. Winfried Laaser	Resident Representative of Bread for the World
65.	Vu Thi Bich Hop	CIDSE Vietnam
66.	Phan Thi Xuan Quynh	Assistant Finance Manager, CARE International in Vietnam
67.	Nguyen Dieu Linh
68.	Nguyen Dao Tuyet Nga	SNV VIETNAM
69.	Claudia E. M. Doets
70.	Philip
71.	Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh
72.	Nguyen Van Tuong
73.	Khuc HaiVan
74.	Vu Quynh Anh
75.	Eric J. Coull	Representative, WWF Indochina Programme
76.	Nguyen Phuong Hao	Hanoi Club of Disabled People
77.	Nguyen Trung	Expert Diploma, Hanoi IIR, MOFA Member of Bright Future Group for PWD, specialist on Wheelchair Productions.
78.	Nguyen Dao Ngoc Van
79.	Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen	Save the Children Sweden, Southeast Asia Regional Office
80.	Pham Thi Thu
81.	Jane Hughes	Country Director, Population Council
82.	Chuck Searcy	Country Representative, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund