War Legacies Project

Support to People with Disabilities in Laos: The project identifies and provides health care and educational support to children and youths with disabilities along the former Ho Chi Minh Trail area of Laos. The project also investigates areas of Laos that may still have potential dioxin contamination from the use of military herbicides in Laos during the American war. The project surveyed 126 villages in 5 districts of Salavan and Savannakhet provinces of Laos along the former Ho Chi Minh Trail area. It raised awareness in villages and district government offices about the potential health and environmental impacts of use of dioxin contaminated herbicides during the American war in Laos and the types of birth defects and disabilities the project could help address. Over 500 children and adults under the age of 55 with congenital malformations and birth defects were identified. Due to COVID and waiting for renewed government approval from authorities in the Lao PDR, WLP was not able to provide as much direct assistance to those with disabilities this year. However, 6 youths with disabilities received medicines or examinations by medical specialists. 11 youths and young adults received monthly support to travel from their village to the Samoi district hospital to receive epilepsy medication and follow-up care. Three young adults received support to attend vocational training. WLP also helped supported the family of one young woman with disabilities who passed away with her funeral expenses.

Agent Orange Education Project: Provides information to veterans and their families, non-profits, students, journalists, film-makers and the general public about the impacts of Agent Orange/Dioxin, Unexploded ordnance and other war legacies on human health and the environment. Manages an informational website about Agent Orange/Dioxin (http://www.agentorangerecord.com). Staff participate in conferences and educational events as well as write articles and research papers.

Humanitarian Assistance Program for People with Disabilities: The program focuses on poor families in Vietnam with one or more children with severe and/or multiple disabilities. It provided direct assistance to 31 families and/or children in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam by assisting with livelihood support, improving housing conditions, supporting the costs of medical care and/or adaptive equipment, supporting educational expenses. A grant to the Office of Genetic Counseling and Disabled children at the Hue School of Medicine supported the physical therapy of dozens of children and the operating costs for an early intervention center in Nam Dong District, Thua Thien Hue province Vietnam that provides rehabilitation, basic education and self-care skills for 7 severely disabled children. The project also supported the school fees for young girl who was born without limbs, so that she could attend the 9th grade and supported a young many with a physical disability that was unable to work due to COVID and assisted a young man with disabilities to access the internet from his rural home.