Swimmers cross the Nile for drowning awareness

Описание: (27 Nov 2016) LEAD IN:
An annual swimming event that involves crossing the Nile hopes to combat drowning and promote swimming among the Sudanese.
The Dutch embassy partnered up with local organisations to host the event.

STORY-LINE:
In the presence of diplomats from the Sudanese Foreign Ministry and a number of Dutch embassy staff, a foreign diplomat crosses the Nile in the capital Khartoum, accompanied by eight Dutch women and eight Sudanese women.
The Dutch ambassador to Sudan, Karin Boven, jumps in to cross the mighty river as part of an initiative to raise awareness about drowning incidents and improve the status of women in the country.
This is the second year of the event, which is run by the Dutch Embassy in collaboration with the Sudanese Swimming Federation and the Netherlands anti-drowning organisation.
"I'm very happy that so many of the Sudanese and also international community showed up today to support us in this very important event. We raised awareness for drowning prevention - a very important topic because we think that drowning can be prevented just by taking precautionary measures, by teaching children how to swim and that's what we want to promote today," says diplomat Karin Boven.
The swimmers took off from the Sea Scouts Club in Nile street.
The Dutch Embassy held a press conference in Khartoum to raise awareness about the event.
Local children were encouraged to participate in a "10 water safety tips" challenge from UNICEF Sudan at the event.
"It was a very good initiative by the former Dutch ambassador. The idea was to cross the Nile from north to south. And thanks to Allah, it (the event) took place last year on 26 November, therefore it became a regular day to cross the Nile," said leader of the Sea Scouts in Khartoum Alaa Abu Gabal.
When all racers were done and dry, more festivities kicked off with a live music concert in front of a Sea Scouts banner reading "Let us keep the Nile safe."


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