Overview
- WHO unveiled the PROTECT technical package in July 2026 in Ghana to turn the 2025 Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention into seven practical measures covering infrastructure, rescue and resuscitation, occupational and transport safety, swimming education, child care, and flood preparedness.
- Drowning kills nearly 300,000 people a year worldwide, more than 90% of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and it is among the top ten causes of death for children aged 5–14.
- Research and officials link rising temperatures and extreme weather to higher drowning risk, with UK studies finding a 7.2% rise in drowning for every 1°C increase and far higher risk on days warmer than 25°C.
- The launch comes as national actors respond: Water Safety England published a national drowning-prevention strategy, UK charities and media have pushed campaigns and safety advice, and Indian groups have delivered petitions calling for lifeguards, labelled water zones, and mandatory water-safety education.
- Partners including Bloomberg Philanthropies will promote PROTECT uptake but experts warn that reducing deaths needs funded surveillance, named government responsibility, multisector coordination, and local implementation of lifeguards, barriers, training and school-based swimming.