Md. Habibur Rahman Munna:
In collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and UNICEF Bangladesh, a discussion meeting and awareness program was held to mark the celebration of Drowning Prevention Day.
On Tuesday (October 22) this discussion meeting was held with the female students of different schools of Comilla city in the conference room of Comilla District Commissioner.
Every year more than 14 thousand children drown in Bangladesh. Although not widely recognized, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under five in the country, making it a serious public health problem.
On the occasion of ‘World Drowning Prevention Day’, the World Health Organization (UNICEF) called on governments, development partners, communities and individuals to raise awareness and do their part to prevent the premature deaths of thousands of children across the country.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Pankaj Barua said, “It is heart-breaking that so many people drown in Bangladesh every year. We know that these deaths are preventable. So everyone should learn satar. We call on individuals, communities and governments to join us in raising awareness and ensuring every child’s right to live well.”
District Sports Officer Suman Kumar MI said,
Nine out of every 10 drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with children under the age of five most at risk. In Bangladesh, where large tracts of land are submerged by floods every year, lack of awareness and swimming skills can appear life-threatening. Children in rural areas, who grow up around water bodies, are also at risk of drowning every day. So there will be a call to all who do not know satar. We will learn satar. We will save our own lives.
UNICEF Community Mobilizer (CM) Kamrul Hasan, Community Facilitator (CF) Khadija Akhtar Zebin, Kuhinur Akhtar Titu and teachers and students of various schools and colleges were also present in the event.
