WHO Launches PROTECT Package to Reduce Global Drowning Deaths

A Global Framework for a Silent Crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a technical package outlining seven evidence-based strategies to prevent drowning, ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July. The initiative, part of the first-ever Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention, aims to reduce the nearly 300,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide, with a focus on children aged 5–14, who account for a significant share of these fatalities.

The PROTECT Package: Seven Domains of Action

The PROTECT package, launched in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention, provides actionable guidance across seven domains: physical infrastructure to promote safe water interaction, rescue and resuscitation capabilities, occupational safety for water-related work, transport safety standards, education in swimming and water safety, child-care systems, and flood preparedness. These measures are tailored to address both immediate risks and systemic gaps in water safety.

Climate Change Intensifies Drowning Risks

Climate change is exacerbating drowning risks, with extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves linked to increased fatalities. Research in the United Kingdom found that drowning deaths rise by 7.2% for every 1°C temperature increase, with risk nearly five times higher on days exceeding 25°C compared to days below 10°C.

Ghana as a Pilot for Change

Ghana, where an estimated 1,100 people drown annually—three deaths per day—has been selected as the launch site for the PROTECT package. The country’s growing political commitment to water safety, including investments in community education and infrastructure, has positioned it as a regional model. Dr. Kelly Henning of Bloomberg Philanthropies, which has partnered with WHO since 2014, praised the framework as “a tool to save lives while building on progress made by governments worldwide.”

Cross-Sector Collaboration: The Key to Success

The strategy’s emphasis on cross-sector collaboration aligns with this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day theme, “Unite to turn the tide,” which calls for coordinated action among governments, communities, and organizations. WHO highlights that drowning prevention requires collective responsibility, noting that “it isn’t the job of one ministry; it belongs to everyone.”

Challenges in Implementation and the Road Ahead

Despite the global scale of the issue, progress is being made. Since 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO have supported the development of resources guiding best practices, including the PROTECT package.