In India, HI works to ensure that people have access to specialist rehabilitation and mental health services. It also supports the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities.
In India, HI works to ensure that people have access to specialist rehabilitation and mental health services. It also supports the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities.
In India, HI works to strengthen inclusion, civic participation and access to specialist services for the most vulnerable populations. In the state of Odisha, HI is implementing a project aimed at strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations to promote inclusive local governance that is sensitive to gender and disability issues. The organisation supports local organisations, develops accessible training tools and strengthens their skills in inclusive governance, advocacy and participation in local planning processes.
At the same time, HI works to promote rights, inclusion and access to livelihoods, incorporating the challenges of climate change and financial inclusion. The organisation supports community actors in helping people access existing public services, particularly through the use of digital tools, and encourages collective initiatives that promote the participation of marginalised groups in decisions that affect them.
In the state of Mizoram, in north-eastern India, HI is working to improve access to specialist functional rehabilitation and mental health services for populations affected by crises, particularly displaced people and host communities. In several districts, HI deploys mobile teams that provide rehabilitation services, mobility aids such as prostheses and orthoses, as well as home-based support for people with severe mobility difficulties. Mental health and psychosocial support services are also offered.
HI works in collaboration with local organisations and community volunteers to strengthen mechanisms for identifying, referring and supporting vulnerable people. Finally, the organisation supports capacity-building for humanitarian actors and organisations of people with disabilities to promote an inclusive humanitarian response, ensuring equitable access and meaningful participation for all, including people with disabilities, in emergency situations.
India faces a mixed picture, characterised by strong economic growth but also by persistent social and environmental vulnerabilities. In 2024–2025, around 230 million people were still living below the poverty line, whilst nearly 16% of the population faced moderate to severe food insecurity. Children, women, rural communities and people with disabilities remain the most affected, largely due to unequal access to basic services such as healthcare, water and education.
Malnutrition remains a major public health issue, with high rates of stunting among children under five. Healthcare systems, although improving, remain unevenly accessible across regions, particularly in the most disadvantaged states.
Environmentally, India is among the countries most exposed to the effects of climate change. In recent years, extreme heatwaves, floods linked to particularly intense monsoons and landslides, notably in the state of Kerala, have affected millions of people. These disasters have led to internal displacement and exacerbated the precarious situation of already vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas.
Rapid urbanisation also poses a major challenge. Millions of people live in informal settlements with limited access to water, sanitation and health services. Workers in the informal sector, who make up a significant proportion of the workforce, are particularly vulnerable to economic crises.
Regional and social inequalities remain very pronounced. Rural states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are home to a large proportion of the most vulnerable populations. At the same time, major cities are experiencing rapid, often unplanned, urbanisation, leading to the development of slums and increased pressure on infrastructure. Youth unemployment and the precarious nature of informal employment also pose major challenges.
In the face of these challenges, humanitarian needs remain significant, particularly in terms of nutrition, climate resilience, access to healthcare and the protection of marginalised populations.
HI is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
HI is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
