The World Health Organization (WHO) and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) are organising a global workshop focusing on provision of day-care to pre-school children as a drowning prevention intervention.
Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death in South-East Asia, claiming over 70,000 lives annually according to WHO estimates (2019), with young children bearing a disproportionate burden. Across many countries in the region, and the neighbouring Western Pacific Region, drowning stands as a leading cause of death among children over the age of 1 year, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action.
WHO recommends the provision of day-care as an effective intervention in mitigating drowning risk amongst children, and in 2022, WHO published practical guidance to support organizations implementing day-care as an intervention to prevent child drowning. Day-care, in this context, refers to safe places providing capable childcare (under adult supervision) to children under the age of 6 years (WHO, 2014).
This workshop aims to enhance and develop the provision of community-based day-care centres for pre-school children in low- and middle-income (LMIC) settings. Convening in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 21-23 October 2024, this workshop seeks the participation of day-care practitioners, specialists in Early Childhood Development (ECD), and leads from International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs). The workshop will be co-hosted by the WHO and the RNLI.
Do you want to share your knowledge and expertise at this workshop? Selection to join the workshop will be made on a competitive basis.