The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new technical package called PROTECT to help governments implement seven evidence-based strategies to reduce drowning deaths. The initiative, introduced ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, targets a global crisis that claims nearly 300,000 lives annually, with more than 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization.
Drowning remains a primary public health threat, ranking among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5 to 14 years. The WHO reports that these fatalities frequently occur in swimming pools, wells, domestic water storage containers, lakes, and rivers. The new PROTECT framework translates the goals of the Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention into actionable policy guidance for national and local authorities.
The package is being officially launched in Ghana, where an estimated 1,100 people die from drowning each year—averaging three deaths daily—with children and young adults disproportionately affected. The WHO selected Ghana for the launch to recognize the country’s political commitment to strengthening water safety and its leadership in adopting evidence-based prevention policies.
The Seven PROTECT Strategies for Water Safety
The PROTECT technical package organizes drowning prevention into seven interconnected domains. According to the WHO, these strategies provide a practical roadmap for policymakers to strengthen safety infrastructure and emergency response. The seven domains include:
- Physical infrastructure that promotes safe interaction with water.
- Rescue and resuscitation capability for both professional responders and bystanders.
- Occupational safety for individuals working around water.
- Transport safety standards for water-based travel.
- Education in basic swimming skills and water safety.
- Child-care systems and the implementation of safeguarding measures.
- Threat preparedness for floods and other multi-hazard emergencies.
“Every drowning is a tragedy, and most are preventable,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. He noted that drowning prevention is not the sole responsibility of one ministry but belongs to everyone, emphasizing that the PROTECT strategies offer a way to make water transport safer and prepare communities for floods.
Climate Change and the Rising Risk of Drowning
The WHO identifies climate change as a significant driver of increased drowning risks. The rising frequency of extreme weather events, including storms, heatwaves, and floods, has contributed to higher fatality rates globally. There is a documented association between rising temperatures and a higher incidence of drowning.
In the United Kingdom, research indicates that drowning deaths increase by 7.2% for every 1°C rise in temperature. Data shows the risk of drowning is nearly five times higher on days when temperatures exceed 25°C compared to days when temperatures remain below 10°C. These figures underscore the need for the “Threat preparedness” component of the PROTECT package to address multi-hazard emergencies.
Global Partnerships and Policy Implementation
The development of the PROTECT package is the result of a decade-long collaboration between the WHO and Bloomberg Philanthropies, which began in 2014. This partnership has focused on creating foundational resources to guide global best practices for drowning prevention interventions.
Dr. Kelly Henning, who leads the public health program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, stated that the framework is designed to save lives by building on the progress governments are already making. She noted that Bloomberg Philanthropies has worked with various governments worldwide to implement effective strategies and continues to support local governments in utilizing the technical package.
The 2025 launch of the Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention by the WHO-hosted Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention serves as the overarching vision that the PROTECT package now operationalizes. This year’s World Drowning Prevention Day theme, “Unite to turn the tide,” calls for coordinated action across different sectors and communities to stop preventable deaths.
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