Ministry, foreign partners work to prevent child drowning

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in coordination with foreign organisations is carrying out a cooperation programme to prevent child drowning, a serious problem in Vietnam.
Children are given swimming instruction (Photo: VNA)

Children are given swimming instruction (Photo: VNA)

The programme will be implemented by MOLISA, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) for five years. It will be funded with 2.4 million USD from the Bloomberg Philanthropies in the first two years.

The programme will feature two activities: supporting childcare providing measures, especially for under-5 children, at home and in communities and teaching swimming and other water safety skills for children aged 6 – 15.

It will also help enhance local authorities’ capacity for running child drowning prevention activities.

The eight beneficiary provinces are Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Ninh Binh in the north; Quang Binh, Thanh Hoa and Dak Lak in the central region; and Dong Thap and Soc Trang in south.

The programme will be implemented based on proven interventions from other countries.

Meanwhile, the Bloomberg Philanthropies has been supporting safety interventions, including through community daycare centres and survival swimming instruction, since 2012.

The foundation chose Vietnam to expand these efforts because of the Government’s strong commitments and the seriousness of this problem in the country.

The MOLISA reported that about 2,000 children lost their lives to water in Vietnam each year between 2015 and 2017.

This figure, 10 times higher than in developed nations, has made Vietnam one of the countries with the highest rates of child deaths from drowning, according to Kelly Henning, head of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Health Programme.

MOLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha said drowning is a leading cause of child deaths from accidents in Vietnam.

Experts attributed this problem to limited public awareness of drowning risks and a shortage of childcare. While a number of children lack water safety skills, their surrounding environment has many drowning risks.

WHO Representative to Vietnam Kidong Park said the rate of child drowning deaths in Vietnam is particularly high, but this problem is completely avoidable. What needed to be done is inter-sectoral approach and strong engagement of communities, parents and childcare providers.

In the world, drowning claimed 360,000 lives every year, 90 percent in low- and middle-income countries. Half of the drowning cases happen in the Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions.

VNA

Other News

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

Vietnamese students shine at AIMO 2026 international finals

The Vietnamese team won one Champion title, four First Runner-up awards, three Second Runner-up awards, 42 gold medals, 83 silver medals, 70 bronze medals and two consolation prizes at the 2026 International Finals of the Asia International Mathematical Olympiad Open Contest (AIMO) held in Hanoi on August 2-5.

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW powers new growth momentum

NSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong said alongside foreign investment and the green economy, science – technology, innovation, the digital economy and digital transformation are the new drivers that can can pack a serious second-half punch.

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

Vietnam’s poverty reduction miracle: A journey for the people

From a country where more than 50% of the population lived below the poverty line in the early 1990s, Vietnam has reduced its poverty rate to just 2.95% today. This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of socio-economic development policies, but also Vietnam’s ability to translate growth into tangible opportunities for its people, steadily realizing inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Can Tho boosts Vietnamese language support for ethnic minority children

Backed by more than 4.2 billion VND (161,000 USD) from the State budget, the programme aims to strengthen children's Vietnamese communication skills before they begin primary school, helping them integrate more smoothly into the classroom and improve learning outcomes from the outset.

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Powering growth: Ensuring reliable energy supply to keep investment flowing

Across Ha Tinh and Nghe An, maintenance teams conduct inspections day and night, using thermal cameras and drones to detect potential faults without interrupting electricity supply. Their work helps ensure stable power supply for businesses as the region accelerates development in line with the Government's economic growth targets.

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

One Vietnamese worker killed in Japan earthquake

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan and its labour management board are actively implementing citizen protection measures and maintaining close contact with relevant organisations and companies employing Vietnamese workers in the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

Hanoi to support low-income residents in replacing high-emission motorbikes

A key task is to formulate a support scheme for low-income residents to replace ageing motorcycles and mopeds that fail to meet emission standards and pose a high risk of pollution. It will also propose funding to provide free first-time emission testing for motorcycles and mopeds across the city.

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

UNESCO endorses vision for restoring Thang Long Imperial Citadel's central axis

The committee commended Vietnam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies. It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kinh Thien Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

Border guards seize 15,200 drug pills, heroin in major trafficking bust

At about 10:15 pm on July 20, officers from the Operations Division of the Nghe An Border Guard Command and the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with customs officers at the Nam Can International Border Gate, caught a resident of Tan Tien hamlet, Chieu Luu commune, Nghe An province, allegedly transporting narcotics in Tien Tieu hamlet, Nam Can commune.

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Floods, landslides wreak havoc on northern mountainous region

Total economic losses were estimated at about 255 billion VND (nearly 9.7 million USD), with Lai Chau accounting for the largest share of the damage with 190 billion VND, followed by Son La with 46.04 billion VND, Lao Cai with 16.7 billion VND, and Dien Bien with 2.3 billion VND.