PHNOM PENH: Officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and several civil society organisation partners have launched a waterway travel safety campaign, with the goal of reducing drownings in the Kingdom.
The campaign launch, held on August 21, took place at a ferry crossing in Sa’ang district, Kandal province, and featured awareness education on risks and prevention, as well as the distribution of safety equipment, explained the ministry.
Across the Asia-Pacific region, drowning claims the lives of at least 83,508 people annually. In Cambodia, the drowning rate is approximately 7.6 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the global average of 3.8 and the regional average of 4.3.
The campaign encouraged waterway passengers to wear life jackets when travelling, reminding people that they should wear a life jacket as soon as they board a watercraft, regardless of whether it’s a short or long journey, or whether they can swim or not.
The campaign warned of the importance of taking special care when travelling by water during heavy rain, strong winds or large waves, whether on rivers, lakes or the ocean, and whether aboard large or small vessels.
“In Cambodia, approximately 80% of drowning incidents occur among waterway travellers under the age of 50, which is a current and future economically productive age group,” noted WHO representative Dr Ada Moadsiri.
Le Sovannarin, deputy director-general of the ministry’s General Department of Waterway, Maritime Transport and Ports, also took part in the launch, distributing life jackets to the participants.
“All ship and ferry owners, and transport operators are urged to prioritise passenger safety. Please do not let the lives of our people be lost due to negligence,” he added.
Mom Kong, executive director of Cambodia Health Organisation, highlighted the needless loss of life.
“Drowning accidents are preventable, but unfortunately, in past waterway travel, life jackets were rarely worn, including by non-swimmers and young children,” he noted.
The campaign team reiterated that drowning-related accidents can be prevented by adhering to water travel safety principles.
The main message of the campaign is simple: Wearing a life jacket at all times when travelling by water, whether a person can swim or not, contributes to reducing drownings.- Phnom Penh Post/ANN
