Actress TEA LEONI has launched a new UNICEF initiative to raise awareness of children with Agent Orange-caused disabilities in Vietnam.

The Deep Impact star - and ambassador for the charity - visited families and health centres with children suffering from birth defects linked to the chemical, which was widely used by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s.

She says, "The (U.S.) public, I think, is not aware of some of the specific dioxin issues. I think there is great compassion from the U.S. and its citizens (and a desire) to want to bridge whatever gap there may be remaining from our time here.

"As a mother it is a very intense experience to visit with another mother and see her caring for children who are so in need of support and care."

Caryl Stern, of UNICEF, says the UNICEF United States Fund is aiming to raise $2 million (GBP1 million) this year and up to $5 million (GBP2.5 million) over the next few years for Vietnamese children with disabilities.