Drowning is a tragically common occurrence in Southeast Asia, accounting for 25% of deaths in the region (source: UNICEF). In Cambodia, it is the leading cause of child mortality, with an estimated five children drowning every day on average (source: WHO). In a country crisscrossed by rivers, canals, and rice fields, the child drowning rate is twice as high as in other Southeast Asian countries.

This issue is further exacerbated by climate change, which has a devastating social and safety impact in Cambodia. Each year, the number of floods and natural disasters increases, bringing severe consequences: communities’ livelihoods are heavily affected, driving many struggling families into extreme poverty; drowning incidents, particularly among children, rise; and schools are forced to close for extended periods.

Una vera e propria epidemia silenziosa che colpisce soprattutto bambini e bambine, che non ricevono adeguate informazioni e formazione su come comportarsi di fronte ai pericoli legati all’acqua. Infatti, il 95% delle bambine e dei bambini che muoiono per annegamento in Cambogia non sanno nuotare né hanno conoscenze delle misure di sicurezza da adottare quando ci si avvicina a un bacino d’acqua. 

This silent epidemic primarily affects children, who lack adequate information and training on water safety. In fact, 95% of children who die from drowning in Cambodia cannot swim and are unaware of essential safety measures to take near bodies of water.

To address this critical issue, the Drowning Prevention Program in Cambodia was launched. This initiative aims to raise awareness of water-related risks so children can approach and enter bodies of water with less danger, ultimately reducing the frequency of serious or fatal drowning incidents. 

Since 2018, Helpcode has been organizing swimming lessons for children and drowning prevention and first aid courses for adults in Cambodian schools. During these training sessions, our instructors teach lifesaving techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and strategies for escaping difficult situations in the water.