The World Health Organization has released a seven-part technical package intended to help governments turn its global drowning-prevention strategy into policy, law and public services.\n\nThe package, organized under the acronym PROTECT, covers barriers around water, supervised child care, swimming and water-safety skills, rescue and resuscitation training, boating and ferry regulation, flood-risk management and coordinated national plans. WHO presents the measures as adaptable guidance rather than a single mandatory model for every country.\n\nThe initiative matters because drowning prevention often crosses health, education, transport, disaster-management and local-government responsibilities. WHO's Southeast Asia office said the broader global strategy aims to reduce drowning deaths by 35 percent by 2035.\n\nThe new publication does not by itself guarantee implementation or funding. Its effect will depend on whether national and local authorities adopt the measures, enforce safety rules and track outcomes.\n\nSource: World Health Organization news release — https://www.who.int/news/item/23-07-2026-who-launches-seven-strategies-to-prevent-drowning\n\nSource: WHO technical package — https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240123779\n\nSource: WHO South-East Asia regional office — https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/detail/24-07-2026-world-drowning-prevention-day
InternationalJuly 26, 2026
WHO publishes seven-part policy package to reduce drowning deaths
The PROTECT package gives governments practical guidance on barriers, supervision, swimming skills, rescue, transport safety and disaster preparedness.
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