11 August 2025, Batroun, Lebanon – On 31 July, Lebanon officially launched the National Drowning Prevention Awareness Campaign, a joint initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health. The launch event, held at the Marine Sciences and Technology Institute (MARSATI) in Batroun, brought together government officials, public health experts, civil society representatives and other key stakeholders.
Drowning, often referred to by WHO as a silent epidemic, claims more than 300 000 lives globally each year, including over 35 000 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Lebanon has already recorded more than 40 drowning-related deaths in 2025 – a reminder of the urgent need for coordinated national action.
A recent study by Dr Samar El Hajj from the American University of Beirut, using data from the Internal Security Forces, shed light on the scope and patterns of drowning incidents in Lebanon:
86% of victims are male;
over half are under the age of 18;
62% of incidents occur between May and August;
77% happen in coastal governorates; and
64% occur while swimming and 30% result from slipping or falling.
The statistics underscore the need for targeted, data-driven interventions and greater public awareness, especially during high-risk months and among vulnerable communities.
The Campaign grew out of Lebanon’s first national consultation on drowning prevention, convened early in July by the WHO Lebanon Country Office. The consultation to develop a coordinated, multisectoral roadmap for drowning prevention was attended by more than 20 national stakeholders, including representatives from government ministries, emergency services, civil society and academia.
“This Campaign reflects our shared commitment to save lives and protect our communities,” said WHO Representative in Lebanon Dr Abdinaser Aboubaker. “Every drowning death is preventable. Together, we can turn the tide through stronger legislation, lifesaving services and water safety education.”
The campaign builds on the 2024 WHO Global Status Report on Drowning, to which Lebanon contributed. The report highlights the need for countries to implement national drowning prevention strategies, improve data collection and invest in prevention and emergency response measures.
Key objectives of Lebanon’s campaign include raising public awareness of drowning risks and prevention methods, advocating for evidence-based national policies and legislation, enhancing multisectoral coordination among stakeholders and strengthening emergency preparedness and response systems.
The Ministry of Public Health reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing drowning prevention and ensuring safer environments for all citizens, especially youth.
WHO expresses its deep appreciation to the Ministry of Public Health for its leadership, and to MARSATI and the Directorate General of Land and Maritime Transport at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport for hosting and supporting this national initiative that aims to tackle one of Lebanon's most preventable public health challenges.
For more information:
Hala Habib, WHO Lebanon Communication Officer, هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته. , 00961 3 870459