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The Hue City’s Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) coordinated with the Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) of the United States, UK NGO Hue Help and a number of units, schools and localities on July 28 to organize a event in response to World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25) and competition for children to learn knowledge and skills to prevent drowning in 2024.

Various activities to enhance awareness of children drowning were organized at Hue City. Photo: Hoai Thuong

After the launching ceremony and practice demonstration of child drowning prevention skills, students participated in a contest with the aim of learning knowledge and skills about drowning prevention. The contest includes painting contest with the theme "Thua Thien Hue children join hands to prevent drowning," skits, knowledge contest, eloquence, talent show, and exchange for participants.

The contests create a practical and useful playground, helping children to interact and exchange learning experiences during team and group activities. At the same time, it helps children speak up for themselves, demonstrating their right to participate in social issues related to themselves. Through the competitions, students expressed their understanding of preventing accidents and injuries in general as well as drowning in particular, aiming to build a safe and healthy living environment.

Training on knowledge, skills and safe rescue methods to prevent child drowning. Source: Swimming for Safety

Earlier, on July 26-27, nearly 55 participants who are physical education teachers and key officials from Nghe An, Quang Binh and Thua Thien Hue participated in a training course which was organized and sponsored by CTFK.

The students were trained in teaching children about water safety skills, practicing basic first aid for drowning victims, artificial respiration and indirect rescue skills. In addition, trainees participated in many group activities, practice and simulation teaching during the training period.

In middle of July, under the sponsorship of CTFK – The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Hue Help organized a survival swimming course for 210 primary school students in Phong Dien district.

Phong Dien district is located in the northern Thua Thien Hue, between two large rivers, Bo River and O Lau River, with a large Tam Giang lagoon and a long coastline. Phong Dien is also known as a "flood navel" of the province so there are serious floods every year. It is sad that Phong Dien is the district with the third highest drowning rate in Thua Thien Hue, after Phu Loc and A Luoi district, in 2023.

Eight swimming teachers taught the children basic swimming skills, rescue skills, survival skills and water safety knowledge through 16 lessons. After the swimming course, 187 out of 210 students passed the final test, meaning nearly 90% of students could perform all skills in the test. Students who did not pass the first time are now being provided additional training.

Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids (by GHAI) is an American NGO founded in 1997. Its mission is to support creating healthier lives for people through evidence-based policy development and advocacy, support community-based interventions and conduct research and effective communication campaigns.

In Vietnam, the organization is coordinating with ministries, branches and localities, universities and some socio-political organisations to implement many public health programmes such as tobacco harm prevention, child drowning prevention, road traffic safety and healthy nutrition.

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