Drowning alert as monsoons loom

Source: Vietnam News (24 August 2004)

MEKONG DELTA-As child drowning increases during the flood season in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, local authorities work to raise public awareness of waterway risks.

The Flood and Calamity Fighting and Prevention Department said that because the regional web of rivers and canals swelled during the flood season from August to November, the drowning risk increased and peaked in September.

In 1995, 101 children died from drowning; by 2002, the region reported 151 victims, of whom about 84 per cent did not know how to swim.

Director of Population, Family and Children Committee of Tra Vinh Province, Diep Van Son, said children were particularly vulnerable to drowning because flooding created difficult conditions like new waterways and strong currents.

Also, the danger increased because many parents were too busy working to watch their children, he said.

Statistics from the National Population, Family and Children Committee report that most young victims of drowning come from poor families or households without grandparents capable of caring for them.

About 30 per cent of parents of the victims are hired laborers, many of whom require their children to work with them.  For example, a 14 year old boy was helping his mother pick vegetables when his rowing boat capsized.  His mother watched helplessly from the shore.

Director of Population, Family and Children Committee of Ca Mau Province, Huynh Quoc Viet, said: “Most children who drown are from households with low socio-economic levels.”  He said in families with drown victims, 19 per cent of more than 15 year old members were illiterate.

Taking action

Some provinces lack flood awareness campaigns, which leaves parents ignorant of seasonal risks.

Head of Communication Office of the Population, Family and Children Committee of Kien Giang Province, Le Duy Linh, said the first step must be raising public awareness.  Also, schools and relevant offices should hold swimming lessons for the community, he said.

The National Committee for Population, Family and Children requested that all Cuu Long provinces develop plans to increase kindergarten enrolment, and draft and distribute educational materials on potential hazards and first aid for drowning victims.  These initiatives must target poor families who are reluctant to seek out such information.