In brief
A half-century after the Vietnam War, survivors like Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diem are grappling with the consequences of U.S. policies cutting aid intended for their rehabilitation and support.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diem, a victim of Agent Orange in southern Vietnam, represents the lasting impacts of the toxic legacy from the Vietnam War. Born with severe physical deformities likely due to her father's exposure to Agent Orange, Diem finally saw some hope in 2022 when a U.S. A.I.D. project provided her with graphic design training and secured her a job. However, with the unexpected closure of her company and significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid under President Trump's administration, her future now seems less certain. Anticipating further assistance, she had expected a small loan or new computer from the same program that had once supported her. “It makes no sense,” Diem lamented from her wheelchair, her faith in American support wavering. “Agent Orange came from the U.S. — it was used here, and that makes us victims.” Her situation reflects a broader abandonment of the United States' prior commitments to assist those affected by the toxic chemical used during the war. Diem, now using an outdated computer from 2011 that frequently malfunctions, struggles to envision a better life without the promised support that now appears increasingly elusive. "A little support for people like us means a lot," she stated, highlighting the immense psychological and physical toll of ongoing neglect from a country that once bore responsibility for their suffering.
