The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised the International Life Saving Federation’s (ILS) long history of work and expertise in global drowning prevention by granting the ILS Official Relations status. This is formal recognition of the ILS as a partner in injury prevention after many years of unofficial collaboration.

The official announcement was made by the WHO’s Executive Board on January 23, 2010 and will see collaboration between the 195 WHO member nations and the 100 ILS Member Federations enhance the ability of both organisations to prevent drowning.

ILS President and World Conference on Drowning Prevention Ambassador Dr. Steve Beerman said, “with the recognition of this official relationship, the WHO acknowledges the ILS as the world authority on the global effort to prevent drowning. After many years of productive ‘unofficial relations’ with the WHO, the ILS looks forward to expanded collaboration to improve the global effort on drowning prevention”.

In the wake of this announcement, WHO and the ILS will continue consultations with government and other NGOs to research, educate and implement drowning prevention strategies that build capacity in communities throughout the world.

The ILS also aims to offer assistance to governments, NGOs, communities and others in high risk populations who lack a lead organisation in drowning prevention or where one is in early growth. The ILS will also continue to:

• Expand collaborative opportunities to achieve the ILS vision of being the world authority in the global effort to prevent drowning and the WHO Agenda to improve population health
• Focus on child and aquatic disaster drowning prevention and aquatic injury reduction
• Pursue projects in high drowning rate populations and support ILS Member Federations who work to reduce the burden of drowning in lower resource nations.

It is estimated that more than 1 million people die from drowning each year, with many millions more directly or indirectly affected by drowning and water related injury. This burden disproportionately impacts children in low income nations.

The WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system.

 Amy Peden, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia

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