Children in Dong Thap learn how to swim (Source: tintucmientay.com.vn) Dong Thap (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap is looking toimplement a number of child-drowning prevention programmes this year thanks to200,000 USD in aid from the Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World HealthOrganisation (WHO), and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
Dong Thap is home to over 350,000 children,who account for 18.8 percent of its population.
Pham Viet Cong, deputy head of the localDepartment of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said that just under half(45 percent) of children aged between 6-15 cannot swim.
Drowning is now one of the leading causes ofdeath among children, he said, adding that from 2015-2019, each year, thelocality reports 43 child drowning cases. In the first four month of this year,nine local children died of drowning.
Cong said that with the assisting funds, DongThap will carry out effective and sustainable interference activities toprevent child drowning in 15 communes of Lap Vo, Lai Vung, Chau Thanh, and TamNong districts.
Activities targeting children aged 15 andunder will help to raise local awareness of risks and measures to ensure safetyfor children and prevent child drowning, and to teach children aged 6-15 how toswim.
This year, Dong Thap is among the eightprovinces – together with Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ninh Binh, Quang Binh, Thanh Hoa,Dak Lak, and Soc Trang – receiving aid from the Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO,and GHAI. –VNA
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