In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, officials and UNICEF launched two national campaigns on Monday aimed at stopping child deaths caused by road traffic crashes and drowning. The moves come after the country lost more than 1,590 people to road accidents in 2023, an average of five deaths a day, with children and young people the hardest hit.
Cambodia also faces a serious drowning problem. About 1,300 children die each year, giving the country a drowning rate of 7.6 per 100,000—almost twice the regional average and more than double the world rate. For children aged 5‑14, drowning is the leading cause of death.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha blamed climate change for increasing these risks. He said heavier monsoon rains cause flooding that puts children at greater drowning danger, while extreme weather hikes the likelihood of road accidents.
UNICEF’s Will Parks said every child deserves a safe environment. “Preventable tragedies happen every day,” he said. “It’s simple: use helmets, drive slower near schools, teach kids to swim and spread water‑safety awareness. When we focus child injury prevention at the heart of community action, policy and public awareness, we can stop these deaths.”
The campaigns pledge to give Cambodian children a safer future, tackling road crashes and drowning head‑on with concrete, community‑driven solutions.
Source: ianslive
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