An estimated 235,000 people drown worldwide every year. It is a staggering number, yet this global problem isn’t receiving the serious attention it needs.
What are the causes
Our international work
Every other minute, someone in the world drowns. These are wasted lives. Preventable deaths.
Drowning is a silent epidemic that claims an estimated 235,000 lives every year, many of them children. But this leading killer isn’t getting the global attention it deserves.
The RNLI is working with global leaders, public health organisations and at-risk communities to help turn the tide. We want to make drowning prevention a priority worldwide and reduce this staggering loss of life.
By raising awareness, conducting research and testing interventions, we can make a difference together.
The global drowning problem
Drowning is a huge problem internationally. In many parts of Asia, it is the leading killer of children over the age of 1. But the scale of the problem is not getting the attention that it needs.
Lifesaving interventions
Anyone can drown. No one should. We won’t stand by while anyone, anywhere, drowns. The RNLI’s international work is a small, but important, part of what we do.
Working with our international partners and leaders, we’re helping communities most at risk of drowning with tailored, targeted interventions that will help stop these preventable deaths.
The history of our international lifesaving work
See the history of our international work come to life in this timeline, featuring remarkable milestones from our journey so far to end global drowning.
International resources
From community first aid guides to documents to help set up your own beach lifeguard service, you can make a difference in your community with these materials. Designed by the RNLI’s water safety experts, these resources can help you tackle the drowning problem.
Donate to end global drowning
Your support is needed to save lives. A donation today will help the RNLI share our lifesaving expertise with communities across the globe.
Explore our international work
With the causes of drowning varying widely, there is no single solution.
saving lives internationally
Lifesavers worldwide can download free guides to help develop their own services.
Get the resources
The scale of the global drowning problem is a human disaster too big for us to ignore.
THE RNLI’S APPROACH
Around 235,000 people drown every year, making this a killer that affects every country to some degree.
SEE THE COUNTRIES
We can’t take on drowning alone - and we don’t have to. We’re working with a committed and diverse group of organisations to reach more people and save more lives worldwide.
WHO WE WORK WITH
The international drowning problem is vast, but we know that simple, inexpensive solutions are very effective. A small amount spent on overseas projects can change countless lives.
HOW WE’RE FUNDED