Where we're working

Around 235,000 people drown every year, making this a killer that affects every country to some degree.

Reflections, brother and sister, Reshma (8) and Ridoy (9) are fishing on floodwaters in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh after a monsoon. Neither of them know how to swim.

But when just 25 countries share 80% of the world’s drowning burden, it’s important to direct our attention and resources where we can help the most.

As well as the countries featured here, the RNLI works with many more countries through the United Nations and other networks, raising awareness and commitment to tackle the issue globally. And the community of likeminded organisations at enddrowning.org ensures that people can share ideas, experience and resources on drowning prevention, wherever they are based.

Choose a country below to see how we’re supporting organisations that save lives there or find out how we choose our partners.

Rowshanara with her grandson, holding a photo of her granddaughter Shohagi who drowned outsideher home in Barisal

Bangladesh

Water is everywhere in Bangladesh. The fatal drowning rate is estimated to be five times higher than in other lower middle-income countries.