The two-day event, jointly held by the ChildCare and Protection Department under the Ministry of Labour, WarInvalids and Social Affairs and the World Health Organisation, attractedparticipants from the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministryof Transport and nine cities and provinces in the central and CentralHighlands region.
According to the Child Care and Protection Department, drowning is the leading cause of deaths in children.
On average, ten children drown every day, accounting for nearly 50 percent of accidental deaths.
Statistics have shown that the number of fatalities due to drowning increases during summer holidays and the flood season.
Children’s lack of awareness in the matter is one of the reasons tothe problem. Furthermore, unsafe living environment, the lack of adultsupervision and poverty are also behind the situation.
Following an inter-ministerial plan against child drowning for the2012-2015 period which was issued last year, ministries, branches andlocalities have organised more than 2,500 swimming classes for 60,000children aged between 6 and 16.-VNA