In India, Humanity & Inclusion continues to run programs under the operating name "Handicap International."
Humanity & Inclusion in India
In 1988, Humanity & Inclusion launched its first project, providing technical support to a community-based rehabilitation center in southern India. Our team began building a permanent presence in India following the 2001 Gujarat earthquake.
India is considered one of the fastest growing economies if the world, but it continues to face socio-economic challenges with 21.9% of its population living below the poverty line. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the economy and livelihoods of its residents.
There are numerous forms of discrimination and social exclusion prevalent in India, including against people with disabilities. Women also experience injustice, particularly when accessing services and the job market.
India is also prone to natural disasters such as droughts, cyclones, flooding and landslides.
Areas of Intervention
- Rehabilitation
- Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness
- Social and Economic Inclusion
Humanity & Inclusions 5-member team is part of the Indian Forum on Rehabilitation for All (IFRA), a network that advocates for the government to improve the quality and accessibility of rehabilitation services in the country and to increase its coverage and to propose a resolution on rehabilitation to the World Health Organization.
Having responded to earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and other natural disasters, Humanity & Inclusion has established itself as a disaster risk reduction with technical expertise on disability inclusive processes and tools. Our teams work with state governments, local and international NGOs, and organizations run by and for people with disabilities to prepare inclusive disaster risk management plans. Our team remains a key member of Sphere India and regular participates in coordination meetings and joint activities.
Humanity & Inclusion is working on opening up private sector employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Our team also supports IDEA and SAKSHAM, for a Divyangjan Aspiration Study, which aims to identify the aspirations of a representative cross-section of people with disabilities aged 15–40 years in terms of their career choices, expected income, and preferred job location.
Our Past Work
Starting in 1988, Humanity & Inclusion's actions have fostered a culture of dignity, access, and inclusion for ALL people with disabilities in India. Since then, our work has evolved to meet the needs of the communities where we serve.
Read on to learn more about our past work in India and consider investing in our future.
Disaster Response
Humanity & Inclusion started its work in India in the Disaster Risk Management sector in 2001 with the Gujarat earthquake response. Subsequently, our team has implemented response and recovery projects after the tsunami in 2004, flooding in Bihar and Cyclone Aila. Humanity & Inclusion implemented its first standalone Disaster Risk Reduction intervention from 2009 to 2012 in Odisha and West Bengal.
Database and Project Management
Humanity & Inclusion implemented this project in India to improve the quality of project management through the use of an open source software developed for French NGOs.