Southeast Asian Realm

Agent Orange is considered to be part of a group of toxic chemical compounds known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It contains dioxin which is an environmental pollutant that can wreak havoc when exposed to the human physiology. Once the substance enters the body, they are able to enact persistent harm, which can transcend generations by affecting both somatic and reproductive cells. Attributed to various cancers, dioxin also affects a number of organ systems in its victims. It is estimated that around 2.1 to 4.8 million Vietnamese have been exposed to Agent Orange. Despite decades of its discontinuation in usage, the damage has persisted within lineages of families affected by the grievous toxin. In the first generation of exposure, the impacts of the toxin resulted in higher rates of cancer among those exposed. However, subsequent generations revealed that the harrowing discovery that Agent Orange was responsible for birth defects and mental underdevelopment and retardation. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people were born with serious birth defects including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, physical and intellectual disabilities and missing or deformed extremities. Despite the prevalence of Agent Orange victims, there is limited research and humanitarian assistance allocated to the family of the victims. Of the conducted studies, the research suggests that the heavily polluted landscape has yet to be decontaminated, which still poses a threat to the existing food chain.

Agent Orange also affected US veterans who were exposed when handling the toxic material. Despite facing decades of tribulations, the US government has agreed to compensate afflicted veterans suffering from the health ailments of Agent Orange. A total of $13.3 billion was allocated to the effort to support American Agent Orange victims. In contrast, only a mere $12 million dollars was designated for Agent Orange relief in Vietnam. This disparity in funding highlights the selective attention of the US when it comes to dealing with the ramifications of their disastrous handiwork. It's absolutely illogical to selectively acknowledge the effects of Agent Orange when it comes to disrupting human health. Consequently, advocates for Vietnamese victims have taken measures to direct international attention to the heartrending reality that the survivors face.