World Drowning Prevention Day 2025

World Drowning Prevention Day, marked yearly on 25 July, serves as a possibility to spotlight the tragic and profound impression of drowning on households and communities, and to supply life-saving options to stop it. The day was declared in 2021 by a United Nations General Assembly decision which invited WHO to coordinate actions on drowning prevention throughout the UN system.

This yr it’s being marked with the theme ‘Your story can save a life – Drowning prevention through shared experiences.’

Every yr, drowning ends the lives of over 300 000 folks around the globe, and greater than 80 000 in our South-East Asia Region. Children undergo probably the most, with drowning rating among the many high three causes of loss of life for these aged 1-14.

As WHO, we now have not been idle. We printed the Global Report on Drowning in 2014, the 2017 follow-up useful resource Preventing Drowning: an implementation information, and the 2024 Global Status Report on drowning prevention. In 2023, the World Health Assembly adopted its first ever decision on drowning prevention.

In South-East Asia, we now have been working to scale up advocacy and motion. Since 2000, whereas drowning loss of life charges have dropped by 38% globally, in our area it dropped by 48%—as a result of interventions work when they’re contextual, community-driven, and inclusive.

In Nepal, quite a few rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs and ponds current a relentless drowning danger, particularly for younger folks. An estimated 1500 folks drown in Nepal annually. In response, the Ministry of Health and Population, with assist from WHO, deliberate fast neighborhood assessments to lift consciousness of drowning dangers with neighborhood leaders, and to work collectively to search out methods to stop future tragedies.

In rural Bangladesh, open ponds and canals dot the panorama, and moms as soon as confronted an tough selection: depart their younger youngsters unsupervised or sacrifice their livelihoods. The Anchal day-care mannequin now protects hundreds of youngsters aged 1-5 from drowning. Older youngsters transition into SwimSafe, the place in simply two weeks, they study lifesaving water abilities. Over 700 000 youngsters have been educated.

In Sri Lanka, coastal households rely upon day-boat fishing—however storms and sudden climate shifts as soon as introduced devastating loss. In response, a easy however highly effective answer was launched: Sayuru—a cellular voice and SMS climate alert system. Now, over 100 000 fishers obtain real-time security updates in native languages. In simply 4 years, Sayuru has lowered storm- associated fishing deaths by greater than 70%.

In Thailand, a metamorphosis has taken place, not simply in drowning charges but additionally in public consciousness. The Merit Maker program started as a summer season security marketing campaign, and remodeled right into a nationwide motion with a inventive combine of faculty competitions, road performances, CPR coaching, and mall exhibitions. Thailand has reduce little one drowning deaths by 57%—from 1500 to underneath 700 yearly.

We want to make sure funding in native options that match every nation’s native realities and guarantee inclusivity – particularly for youngsters with disabilities. Crucially, we should all elevate neighborhood voices—as a result of they know what works.

On this World Drowning Prevention Day, we urge Member States to embed drowning prevention into nationwide well being and growth plans.

Let us not simply to recollect the statistics. Remember the tales. Share them. Learn from them. Let them transfer you to motion.

Because your story—your expertise, your voice, your answer—can save a life.