Tk 2710m project to prevent drowning

A landmark project was launched in the city on Sunday aimed at preventing the children from drowning.

Bangladesh Shishu Academy will implement the Tk 2,710 million-project titled 'Integrated community-based centre for childcare, protection and swim-safe facilities project' for the next three years.

According to the data, drowning kills 50 thousand children in Bangladesh every year.

While inaugurating the project, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira said this project was initiated under the government's policy to ensure the protection of children.

Under this project, 360,000 children will be taught how to swim, she added.

The project will be expanded further if the present phase can be successfully implemented, the state minister said, adding that the present government has introduced a string of acts and regulations for proper grooming and protection of children.

Shariful Islam, Director General of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, made the opening remarks, saying that the project will play a significant role in preventing the drowning.

Kelli Larson, director of Bloomberg Philanthropies, said Bangladesh has shown leadership in preventing the drowning in the world.

The United Nations has passed the resolution on Global Drowning Prevention recently at the initiative of Bangladesh and Ireland, she mentioned.

"We are proud to be a development partner in protecting the children's life," Ms Larson added.

Steve Willis of RNLI said drowning is not an isolated event. Globally quarter of one million people die by drowning.

"So what has been achieved here is truly remarkable," he noted.

Esha Husain, Project Lead of Synargoes Bangladesh, in her speech recalled the collective initiatives taken by departments concerned and non-government partners for making the project a reality.

Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairman Lucky Inam, who chaired the programme, thanked the local and international partners for extending cooperation in getting approval for the project.

Tariqul Islam Chowdhury, ECS Specialist at Shishu Academy, said Bangladesh will be able to achieve some of the sustainable development goals through the implementation of this project.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com