Tanzania intensifies drowning fight

MWANZA: TANZANIA has intensified measures to reduce drowning deaths as fishing communities on Lake Victoria continue to face a high risk of water-related fatalities, with about 2,500 people estimated to have drowned nationwide in 2021.

The renewed push was highlighted over the weekend during a one-day Water Safety Programme stakeholders’ workshop in Mwanza, where the Environmental Management and Economic Development Organisation (EMEDO) called for stronger collaboration and sustained investment in drowning prevention.

EMEDO Advocacy Officer Ms Mary Francis said the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 300,000 people die from drowning worldwide every year, with more than 90 per cent of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including Tanzania.

She said although global drowning deaths declined by 38 per cent between 2000 and 2021, drowning remains among the ten leading causes of death for children aged between five and 14 years.

According to Ms Francis, Tanzania’s drowning mortality rate stands at 2.2 deaths per 100,000 people, while studies indicate that between 84 and 87 per cent of adult drowning deaths on Lake Victoria occur during fishing activities involving boats.

She added that Lake Victoria supports the livelihoods of more than 109,000 fishers in Tanzania, making stronger water safety interventions essential for protecting lives and sustaining the fishing economy.

She also warned that climate change is increasing drowning risks through floods and other extreme weather events.

Speaking at the workshop, EMEDO Vice-Chairperson Mr Donald Kasongi commended government institutions, regional authorities and development partners for supporting the Lake Victoria Drowning Prevention Project, attributing its achievements to strong collaboration.

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He specifically recognised the Fire and Rescue Force, Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA), Marine Police Unit and Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) for providing water safety training and technical support to fishing communities.

He also acknowledged the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for financing the project over the past six years.

The project’s Programme Manager, Mr Arthur Mugema, said EMEDO, in partnership with RNLI, has been implementing the initiative in seven fishing communities since 2022 to strengthen water safety, improve emergency response systems, enhance access to weather information and advocate for fishers affected by drowning incidents.

Officiating at the workshop, Assistant Administrative Secretary for Planning and Coordination Mr Henry Mwaijega, representing the Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing drowning deaths through public awareness, stronger stakeholder collaboration and implementation of the National Drowning Prevention Strategic Plan (2026– 2030).

EMEDO Executive Director Mrs Edithrudith Lukanga said preventing drowning requires collective action from government, development partners, the private sector and local communities, stressing that everyone has a role to play in saving lives.