Bangladesh, which has emerged as a global advocate for drowning prevention, on Friday joined the global community in observing World Drowning Prevention Day, a solemn but hopeful occasion to reflect on a silent epidemic.
In 2021 alone, drowning took more than 300,000 lives worldwide鈥攏early 30 lives every hour鈥攚ith Southeast Asia accounting for 28 per cent of these deaths.
With children and young people among the most affected, the 2025 theme 鈥� 鈥榊our story can save a life鈥� 鈥� calls on individuals, families, and communities to share their experiences and solutions in the fight to end preventable drowning.
In Bangladesh, water is both a lifeline and a threat. While essential for agriculture, transportation, and daily life, water also remains one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths鈥攑articularly among children.
According to national data, drowning is the number one cause of death for children aged 1鈥�4 years.
Thousands of children, especially in rural and low-income communities, lose their lives in incidents that are entirely preventable.
The government of Bangladesh has championed international resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, signalling strong political commitment to this issue.
鈥楨very life lost to drowning is one too many 鈥� especially the life of a child. Drowning is preventable and our collective action can save lives. On this Drowning Prevention Day, let us transform awareness into meaningful action to ensure a safer, more resilient tomorrow.鈥� said Rajesh Narwal, acting WHO representative in Bangladesh.
The ministry of women and children affairs has led innovative, community-based initiatives such as the 鈥楢nchal Daycare Model鈥� and 鈥楽wimsafe鈥�, both of which have demonstrated measurable success in protecting vulnerable children.
These efforts are supported by multi-sectoral collaboration involving various ministries, development partners, and civil society organizations.
The World Health Organization said that it continued to work closely with the ministry of health and family welfare, providing technical guidance, generating evidence, and helping develop national strategies and policy frameworks focused on sustainable drowning prevention.
鈥楢s Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment, the path ahead is clear,鈥� WHO said.
With sustained political will, community-driven solutions, and collaborative action, the country has the potential to become a global leader in drowning prevention.
鈥極n this World Drowning Prevention Day, let us honour those we鈥檝e lost鈥攏ot with silence, but with meaningful action. Let us amplify the stories of survival and resilience that have the power to save lives,鈥� the WHO said.