‘Anyone can drown but no one should': SA urged to act on preventable tragedy
NSRI CEO Mike Vonk said days such as World Drowning Prevention Day us that 'while anyone can drown, no one should ... This is not only a statistic; it's a call to action.'
The NSRI said while South Africa's extensive coastline, rivers, lakes and dams make it particularly vulnerable to water-related fatalities, drowning remains a largely overlooked issue despite its deadly toll, especially among children in under-resourced communities
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning is the third leading cause of death for children aged five to 14 years with more than 90% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO said most of the tragedies happen in rivers, lakes, wells and household water containers.
The UN general assembly officially recognised the crisis in 2021, declaring July 25 World Drowning Prevention Day. This year's theme, 'Your story can save a life', encourages people to share their personal experiences to raise awareness and influence behaviour.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the NSRI has shifted from primarily being an emergency response organisation to one that prioritises education and prevention.
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