Drowning kills over 9,600 each year in BD: WHO

World Health Organization (WHO) has called for accelerated action to prevent drowning in Bangladesh, warning that around 9,600 people die from drowning in the country each year despite the availability of proven, life-saving interventions.

For children aged 1-4 years, drowning is the leading cause of death, with thousands of children, particularly those living in rural and low-income communities, losing their lives each year in incidents that are largely preventable.

Most drowning deaths among children under 5 occur within 20 metres of the home, mainly in ponds, ditches and water containers.

Every year on July 25, the world marks World Drowning Prevention Day to raise awareness that drowning deaths are preventable and to promote proven actions that save lives.

On World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO has called for accelerated action in Bangladesh to build on the country’s leadership in drowning prevention through greater investment in evidence-based interventions, stronger partnerships and sustained action to address one of the world’s most preventable yet overlooked public health challenges.

Every year, drowning claims more than 300 000 lives worldwide - equivalent to nearly 30 deaths per hour.
Almost one-quarter of these deaths occur among children under the age of 5. Globally, drowning is among the 10 leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years.

Together, the 10 countries of the WHO South-East Asia Region account for 28% of drowning deaths worldwide.
“Drowning is a silent but preventable public health crisis. Every drowning death represents a tragedy that can and must be prevented,” said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.

“As we observe World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO reaffirms its commitment to supporting evidence-based action, stronger partnerships and increased investment in proven interventions that reduce drowning deaths.”

Bangladesh has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing drowning prevention nationally and globally, WHO said.

It has championed international resolutions on drowning prevention at both the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, while the government-endorsed National Drowning Prevention Strategy and Action Plan (2025�"2030) provides a framework for scaling up evidence-based interventions, including Anchal centres (community childcare centres), SwimSafe programmes (survival swimming education) and first responder training.�" UNB