NGOs work to save drowning children

Drowning is emerging as a major public health concern across Asia as childhood deaths from communicable diseases...

decline sharply in response to high-profile educational campaigns and public health interventions. Child safety experts say swim-safety still receives little funding and attention from local governments and the international donor community.  

In Vietnam alone, nearly 12,000 people drown each year, and international visitors are often shocked to learn of the figure, says John McAnulty, Australia's Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City. "If more and more people would help address the problem, that would be very good."

"Like many other countries, most of the money Australia contributes to Vietnam goes to large infrastructure projects, like bridges, water sanitation and climate change," he told DW. "It would be nice if some of the money could be directed to learn to swim programs here."

The good news is: researchers around the world are now testing a range of interventions designed to prevent drownings and encourage more reporting on the issue in Asia. Some are experimenting with village daycare programs, in which children are supervised, rather then left to wander off, while their mothers are busy with household chores. And a range of non-profit and charity groups are teaching children to swim so that they are better prepared to avoid water-based accidents.