All have a role to play in preventing drowning, says the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for the South-East Asia Saima Wazed.
“Together, we can save lives and prevent the heartbreak of drowning,” she said in a message marking the World Drowning Prevention Day on Thursday.
This year, under the overarching theme "Anyone can drown, no one should," the World Health Organization has chosen the slogan "Seconds can save a life."
“This highlights the dual nature of drowning: it can occur in a matter of seconds yet taking a brief moment to act—whether by wearing a lifejacket, keeping watch over children while they are near water, checking the weather forecast before boating, or choosing safety over distraction—can prevent a tragedy,” Saima said.
Globally, an estimated 236,000 lives are lost to drowning every year—an average of 650 every day, or 26 every hour.
This silent epidemic of preventable deaths excludes drownings related to flood disasters and water transport incidents, thus underreporting the true magnitude of the issue.
“In our South-East Asia Region, the consequences of drowning are particularly devastating. In 2019 alone, drowning claimed 70,034 lives, making it the second-highest contributor to drowning deaths worldwide after the Western Pacific Region,” Saima said.
Whether by raising awareness, promoting knowledge of effective solutions, collaborating on prevention plans and policies with local or national governments, volunteering with relevant organizations, or ensuring personal and family safety around water, each of them could make a difference, she added.
The World Health Assembly Resolution WHA76.18, passed in 2023, underscores the urgent need for coordinated multi-sectorial action to combat this leading cause of injury-related deaths and disability worldwide.
