Nghe An promotes communication to prevent drowning for children
On the morning of August 5, in Dien Chau district, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs coordinated with the People's Committee of Dien Chau district to organize the Launching Ceremony of child drowning prevention in Nghe An province in 2024.
Recognizing the urgency of the problem of drowning prevention, in recent times, the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee of Nghe An province have issued many directives on strengthening the work of drowning prevention. All levels and sectors in the province have implemented many propaganda and education activities to raise people's awareness of the risk of drowning; at the same time, they have organized swimming classes for children and built safe areas for children to play.
However, drowning has decreased but still occurs. According to statistics, in the period from 2021 to July 2024 alone, 180 children in the province drowned (as of July 2024, 31 children died from drowning).
To effectively prevent and combat child drowning accidents, it is necessary to have the joint efforts of the whole society, promoting the role of relevant functional sectors. In particular, continuing to strengthen coordination and promote propaganda in many forms, on the media to raise awareness, especially for families, caregivers and the local community about preventing and combating child drowning; mobilizing social resources to strengthen the organization of safe swimming lessons for children.
From 2021, Nghe An will receive and implement the Project "Supporting the implementation of effective and sustainable interventions to prevent and combat child drowning" sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 16 communes of 4 districts: Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Yen Thanh and Anh Son.
The project has supported localities in teaching free safe swimming to nearly 10,000 children; raising awareness of water safety for more than 12,000 children; improving capacity for more than 200 commune-level child care officials and collaborators in blocks, hamlets, villages and communes; equipping families, parents, grandparents, and guardians caring for children under 15 years old with knowledge and skills on measures to prevent and combat injuries; preventing and combating drowning for children at home and in the community; installing nearly 1,000 warning signs and banners in areas at risk of drowning, etc.
Along with that, encourage families and relatives to regularly care for and supervise children, especially during the approaching flood season; take children to swimming lessons and learn water safety skills when possible.
At the launching ceremony, the Nghe An Provincial Children's Fund presented 20 life jackets to disadvantaged students living near rivers and seas in Dien Chau district. The Dien Chau District People's Committee presented 10 gifts to children in especially disadvantaged circumstances from the Fund of the District Association for the Protection of Children's Rights and the Support of the Disabled.
After the launching ceremony, delegates participated in experiential activities at swimming classes in the communes of Dien Phu, Minh Chau, Dien Ngoc, Dien Yen (Dien Chau).