Launching a campaign to prevent and combat child drowning.

Today, June 14th, at Tan Thanh Primary and Secondary School in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, in coordination with the Department of Education and Training and the Swim For Life Project, held a ceremony to launch the campaign to prevent child drowning and kick off the Huong Hoa District Child Drowning Prevention Project for 2024.

Leaders from the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Department of Education and Training, and the Safe Swimming Project presented scholarships to disadvantaged students in Tan Thanh commune - Photo: Provided.

According to statistics from the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, from 2015 to the present, 134 children in the province have died due to drowning accidents. In 2023 and the first four months of 2024 alone, drowning claimed the lives of 14 children.

There are many reasons leading to tragic drowning accidents. Among them, the main reason is that children lack sufficient knowledge and skills in swimming and drowning prevention.

Given this situation, the concerted efforts of the entire community in preventing and combating drowning among children are absolutely essential. Recognizing this, in recent times, relevant levels of government, sectors, and units have actively participated and contributed to preventing and combating drowning among children. Many programs and projects, including the Safe Swimming Project, have been established and implemented with practical activities such as: organizing professional training for safe swimming instructors; educating children on water safety skills; providing free swimming lessons, etc.

Launching a campaign to prevent and combat child drowning.

The Quang Tri Provincial Project Coordination Board for Child Drowning Prevention was launched after its restructuring - Photo: Provided.

At the launching ceremony, the leaders of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs called on all levels, sectors, and relevant units to focus on implementing solutions to prevent and combat drowning. A key aspect is strengthening awareness campaigns for schools, households, and every parent and caregiver to pay attention to and supervise their children, and to educate children about the risks of drowning accidents.

Relevant levels, sectors, and units need to actively participate in organizing safe swimming classes for children; providing guidance on safe swimming skills; and actively mobilizing funding for drowning prevention activities in the locality...

Reviewing, repairing, and placing warning signs at locations where drowning accidents frequently occur or are likely to happen to children; educating children about the use of life jackets and swimming floats; and providing information and warnings about places prone to drowning accidents... are absolutely essential. In particular, relevant levels, sectors, and units need to replicate exemplary models in preventing and combating drowning accidents among children.

During the program, delegates and students were informed about the current situation and efforts to prevent and combat drowning among children in Quang Tri; listened to the thoughts and aspirations of children; and watched a video introducing the Safe Swimming Project...

On this occasion, the Department of Education and Training announced the decision to reorganize the Coordination Board of the Child Drowning Prevention Project in Quang Tri province. The program organizers also launched the Child Drowning Prevention Project in Huong Hoa district and awarded 20 scholarships to disadvantaged students in Tan Thanh commune.

Tay Long

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