-More than 30 reported drowning deaths this year underscore the urgent need for stronger prevention measures
By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Confronted with a growing number of drowning fatalities, Sierra Leone is intensifying efforts to tackle one of its most preventable yet often overlooked public health challenges. Government institutions, health professionals, emergency responders and community volunteers joined forces to commemorate World Drowning Prevention Day 2026, renewing a national commitment to saving lives through education, collaboration and stronger water safety measures.
Held under the global theme, “Unite to Turn the Tide,” this year’s observance was spearheaded by the Sierra Leone Life Saving Society (SLLS) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, bringing together a broad coalition of stakeholders to promote water safety, strengthen public awareness and advocate for coordinated national action to reduce drowning deaths.
The centrepiece of the commemoration was a large-scale public sensitisation campaign at Lumley Beach in Freetown, where volunteers, emergency responders, health professionals, civil society organisations and members of the public participated in practical demonstrations and discussions on water safety. The campaign sought to educate communities about the dangers of unsafe water practices while equipping citizens with simple but potentially lifesaving skills.
The initiative comes at a time of increasing concern over drowning incidents across Sierra Leone. According to organisers, more than 30 people have reportedly lost their lives to drowning this year alone, with available evidence suggesting that many of those deaths could have been prevented through greater public awareness, safer behaviour around water and improved emergency preparedness.
For the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Life Saving Society, Patrick Olumide Campbell Esq., World Drowning Prevention Day represents far more than an annual observance.
“This is more than a one-day event,” Campbell said.
He stressed that reducing drowning deaths requires sustained public education, stronger institutional partnerships and year-round community engagement rather than one-off awareness campaigns.
Campbell said the Society remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and other partners to expand water safety education, strengthen lifesaving services and advocate for evidence-based policies capable of reducing preventable deaths across the country.
He added that the growing collaboration demonstrates how institutions can unite around a common humanitarian objective, placing the protection of human life above all else.
Representing the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Nelson Fofanah, the Ministry’s National Focal Person on Drowning Prevention, welcomed the strengthening partnership between government and the Sierra Leone Life Saving Society.
“I am very happy that Sierra Leone is moving in the right direction to tackle the issue of drowning, and we hope for more collaborations with the Sierra Leone Life Saving Society,” Fofanah said.
His remarks underscored the Ministry’s commitment to expanding partnerships that promote water safety as an integral part of Sierra Leone’s broader public health agenda.
Throughout the campaign, organisers encouraged Sierra Leoneans to adopt practical safety measures that can significantly reduce the risk of drowning. These include never swimming alone, obeying warning flags at beaches, wearing properly fitted life jackets while travelling by boat, avoiding alcohol and illicit drugs before entering the water, ensuring constant supervision of children near water, and learning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other basic lifesaving techniques.
Beyond raising public awareness, stakeholders used the occasion to call for stronger government investment in drowning prevention initiatives. They advocated for the establishment of a comprehensive national drowning surveillance and data collection system, the development of a National Drowning Prevention Strategy supported by legislation and policy, increased investment in training certified lifeguards and emergency responders, and expanded support for water safety education and lifesaving sports.
Organisers also appealed for stronger collaboration among government institutions, local communities, civil society organisations, development partners and the media to ensure that drowning prevention remains a national priority throughout the year.
Sierra Leone’s efforts have also received recognition from the international lifesaving community.
Steve Wills, International Drowning Prevention Consultant, Part-Time Adviser to the International Maritime Rescue Federation and Chair of Trustees of the It’s Humanity Foundation UK, praised the Sierra Leone Life Saving Society for its growing partnership with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
“Wow – it looks like the events went really well. It’s great that you managed to collaborate with the Ministry of Health,” Wills said.
He described the Society’s expanding public education campaign as an encouraging step towards building a stronger culture of water safety across Sierra Leone.
“It’s really good to see that you’re now working to sensitise the community about the value of lifesaving services, but also the risk of drowning in Sierra Leone,” he added.
Wills further encouraged the Society to continue sharing updates on its activities with the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth so that Sierra Leone’s achievements can be featured in international newsletters and communications, helping to amplify the country’s progress and inspire similar initiatives across the Commonwealth and beyond.
His endorsement reflects growing international recognition of Sierra Leone’s commitment to addressing drowning through education, collaboration and evidence-based interventions.
As Sierra Leone joins the global campaign to reduce drowning deaths, organisers insist that the message behind “Unite to Turn the Tide” must extend far beyond a single commemorative day.
For the Sierra Leone Life Saving Society and its partners, the vision is to build a future where every Sierra Leonean understands the importance of water safety, where communities are equipped with lifesaving knowledge and rescue skills, and where preventable drowning deaths become increasingly rare.
With national institutions working alongside international partners, campaigners believe Sierra Leone is laying the foundation for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to drowning prevention—one that places education, preparedness, collaboration and community action at the heart of saving lives.
