Around 9,600 people die from drowning each year in Bangladesh: WHO

Highlights:

• Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1–4
• Most child drownings occur within 20 metres of home
• Bangladesh has adopted a 2025–2030 National Drowning Prevention Strategy
• Every $1 invested in prevention could generate $9 in benefits
• WHO urged greater investment and wider rollout of proven interventions like Anchal centres and SwimSafe

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 25 July, 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 3,00,000 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.

However, to build on this progress, greater urgency and sustained investment are needed to unlock the full health, social and economic benefits of evidence-based interventions, WHO said.

Evidence from Bangladesh shows that proven interventions save lives while delivering strong economic returns, with every $1 invested estimated to generate $ 9 in social and economic benefits.

On World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO highlighted four priority areas for action.

First, integrating drowning prevention into national health, education and disaster risk reduction policies. This is essential to ensuring a coordinated and sustainable response, recognising that drowning is not only a water safety issue but also a major public health challenge that intersects with child health, education, disaster preparedness and community development.

Second, scaling up proven interventions that reduce drowning deaths, such as Anchal centres, SwimSafe programmes and first responder training. Expanding access to these interventions, particularly in rural and underserved communities, will save thousands of lives each year while helping children develop lifelong water safety skills.

Third, strengthening partnerships and sustaining community engagement. By working together and building on their respective strengths, local authorities, development partners, civil society organisations, academic institutions, the private sector and communities can increase the reach of effective interventions, promote safer behaviours and foster a culture of water safety that protects future generations.

Fourth, enhancing investment in research, surveillance and data systems. Strengthening the evidence base on drowning and drowning prevention will support better decision-making, guide future policy and programme development and enable Bangladesh to measure progress towards reducing drowning deaths and achieving related Sustainable Development Goal targets. 

"We know how to prevent drowning. The challenge now is to take proven interventions to scale and ensure they reach every child and every community at risk. With sustained political commitment, strong partnerships and continued investment, we can dramatically reduce drowning deaths and save thousands of lives each year," said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed.

On World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO called on governments, partners and communities to unite behind proven solutions that save lives. Together, we can protect children, strengthen communities and ensure that far fewer families experience the devastating and preventable loss of a loved one to drowning.