Nearly 300,000 people die from drowning each year globally, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch a comprehensive new technical package called PROTECT ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. According to WHO data, drowning remains among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5 to 14 years old, with over 90% of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
The PROTECT Strategy Framework
The PROTECT technical package translates the first-ever Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention into actionable policy guidance for governments and communities. Developed with support from the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention, the framework outlines seven interconnected domains designed to strengthen water safety:
- Physical infrastructure that promotes safe interaction with water
- Rescue and resuscitation capability for bystanders and professional responders
- Occupational safety for work around water
- Transport safety standards for water travel
- Education in basic swimming and water safety
- Child-care systems and ensure safeguarding
- Threat preparedness for floods and other multi-hazard emergencies
Climate Change and Rising Drowning Risks
Environmental shifts are compounding water safety challenges worldwide. According to WHO findings, extreme weather events like floods, storms, and heatwaves are occurring more frequently and driving up drowning risks. Research demonstrates a direct link between high temperatures and increased drowning incidents. In the United Kingdom, studies show that drowning deaths increase by 7.2% for every 1°C rise in temperature, with risks nearly five times higher on days exceeding 25°C compared to days below 10°C.
Implementation Focus in Ghana
The WHO launched the PROTECT package in Ghana to acknowledge the country’s growing political commitment to water safety. In Ghana, an estimated 1,100 people die from drowning annually—averaging about three deaths every day—with children and young adults facing the highest risk. The rollout highlights Ghana’s proactive stance and serves as a model for other nations to adopt evidence-based policies.
This initiative builds on more than a decade of collaboration between the WHO, national governments, and philanthropic organizations. Bloomberg Philanthropies has partnered with the WHO on drowning prevention since 2014, supporting the development of foundational resources that shape global best practices.
“This framework will save lives while building on the progress governments around the world are making to prevent drowning deaths in their countries,” said Dr. Kelly Henning, who leads the public health program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. The organization intends to continue supporting local governments as they deploy the PROTECT technical package under this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day theme, “Unite to turn the tide.”
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