From left, Travis Trower and Jean Rossouw
Through Rescue-SA’s established partnerships, the University was invited to participate in this specialised UK-ISAR-led training in Malawi.
Rescue-SA, a leading disaster response and training organisation, has been instrumental in building rescue capacity across Africa and has worked alongside UK-ISAR in previous disaster responses, including Cyclone Freddy in 2023.
The "Train-the-Trainer" programme focused on strategic and tactical flood response, including powerboat rescue skills, so that participants could share their new knowledge within their own institutions and communities, particularly addressing the high drowning rates in Africa, exacerbated by floods and limited access to rescue services.
Drowning in Africa: A silent epidemic
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has the highest drowning rates globally, with an estimated 66,000 fatalities annually. Many of these deaths occur in rural and flood-prone regions, where limited access to emergency response services and training exacerbates the risk.
-
An average of 1,477 people drown each year, equating to 2.54 deaths per 100,000 people.
-
Children under five years old are at the highest risk, often drowning in rivers, dams, and swimming pools.
-
Floods, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, significantly contribute to drowning fatalities, particularly in low-lying and informal settlements.
Disasters like Cyclone Freddy (2023), which devastated parts of Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa, have demonstrated the urgent need for well-trained aquatic rescue teams that can operate efficiently in flood-prone regions.
This training marks an important milestone for the University and the Department of Emergency Medical Care (EMC) as the participation will have far-reaching benefits for students, staff and the broader emergency response community.
The practical skills and theoretical insights gained will be integrated into the EMC curriculum, ensuring that students are trained in cutting-edge aquatic and flood rescue techniques.
The experience will also be used to develop new simulation-based learning modules, allowing students to practice real-world rescue scenarios before they graduate.
The programme strengthens the University’s role in disaster response education and fosters partnerships with global organisations, such as UK-ISAR and Rescue-SA, opening up opportunities for future training, exchanges, and collaborative projects in the region.