Ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, the World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a new technology package to help governments and communities implement seven proven measures to reduce drowning.
Nearly 300,000 people drown every year around the world, and drowning remains one of the 10 leading causes of death for children aged 5-14. Many of these deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, household water storage containers, and swimming pools. More than 90% of drownings occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Climate change is increasing the risk of drowning. Extreme weather events such as floods, storms and heat waves are occurring more frequently, increasing the risk of drowning. Research shows a strong link between heatwaves and drowning. For example, in the UK, research found that drownings increased by 7.2% for every 1°C rise in temperature. Additionally, days with temperatures above 25°C are nearly five times more risky than days with temperatures below 10°C.
All drownings are tragic, but most are preventable. The seven PROTECT strategies provide countries with practical, evidence-based approaches to prevent these tragedies, including making water transportation safer, teaching school children to swim, and preparing for floods. Drowning prevention is not the job of one ministry. It belongs to everyone, and the reward is the lives it saves. ”
Dr. AS WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
The seven strategies, packaged under the acronym PROTECT, translate the vision of the first-ever global strategy to prevent drowning into practical, actionable policy guidance. The strategy was launched in 2025 by the World Drowning Prevention Alliance, sponsored by the WHO. The PROTECT package provides policymakers with concrete, evidence-based recommendations across seven interrelated areas to enhance water safety.
- PPhysical infrastructure that facilitates safe interactions with water.
- RRescue and resuscitation abilities of bystanders and professional responders.
- ○Occupational safety when working around water.
- TTransport safety standards for water travel.
- EBasic swimming and water safety education.
- CEnsure long-term management system and safety protection. and
- TThreat preparedness for floods and other complex disaster emergencies.
In Ghana, the PROTECT package was launched in recognition of increased political commitment to drowning prevention and continued efforts to strengthen water safety. An estimated 1,100 people drown every year in Ghana, with children and young people especially affected. This equates to approximately 3 deaths every day.
This announcement highlights Ghana’s growing leadership in addressing this preventable tragedy and highlights the need for other governments to adopt evidence-based policies that reduce drowning and protect at-risk communities.
The launch also builds on more than a decade of collaboration between WHO, governments and partners to advance evidence-based drowning prevention efforts around the world.
“This framework builds on the progress governments around the world are making to prevent drowning in their own countries and will save lives,” said Dr. Kelly Henning, director of public health programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Bloomberg Philanthropies has been working with governments around the world to implement proven and effective strategies to reduce drowning. We applaud the World Health Organization’s leadership on this issue and look forward to continuing to support the World Health Organization and local governments in using the PROTECT technology package.”
Since 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies has partnered with WHO on drowning prevention, supporting the development of foundational resources that guide global best practices for preventive interventions, such as the PROTECT technology package.
This year’s World Drowning Prevention Day theme, ‘Unite to turn the tide’, reflects the need for coordinated action across governments, sectors and communities to prevent drowning and save lives.
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