By Mihir R. Bhatt, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), India

The All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) was born in 1989 in Ahmedabad as a grassroots response to the devastating 1987–89 droughts and recurring disasters such as cyclones and earthquakes. From the outset, it placed people and nature at the centre of its work, recognising that overuse of land and water had worsened vulnerabilities. Over three decades later, AIDMI has evolved into an autonomous action research organisation dedicated to reducing disaster risks and promoting inclusive, sustainable, and nature-positive recovery.

AIDMI’s Purpose and Approach

AIDMI works through six interconnected pillars: awareness, capacity building, policy advocacy, implementation, research and publication, and networking. Its central purpose is to make communities safer and more resilient, particularly those on the margins—street vendors, small farmers, women-led small businesses, informal workers, and children. At the heart of this mission lies an effort to erase the artificial divide between people and planet, embedding ecosystems into disaster risk reduction and recovery.

Distinctive Contributions

What makes AIDMI unique is its seamless, community-driven approach that combines local awareness with global frameworks. Its pioneering work on disaster micro-insurance (Afat Vimo), pilots on anticipatory action for extreme heat, and inclusive climate action are grounded in participation and evidence. AIDMI is among the first organisations in South Asia to operationalise loss and damage funding for extreme heat at the local level, making adaptation both practical and inclusive.

People and Nature as Partners

For AIDMI, both people and nature are not just beneficiaries but also engines of resilience. Its initiatives support migrants, casual labourers, women entrepreneurs, female farmers, and children through livelihood recovery, community-led resilience tools, and micro-insurance. By integrating human security with environmental regeneration, AIDMI demonstrates that resilience is strongest when people and ecosystems are protected together.

Pressing Challenges

India and South Asia face pressing challenges at the intersection of climate extremes and disasters. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and cyclones now threaten both urban ecosystems and vulnerable livelihoods. The biggest gap remains inclusive financing for recovery—especially for nature-positive actions that conserve water, land, and vegetation. Without bridging this gap, resilience will remain uneven and temporary.

Current Projects

Since 2014, when it contributed as a coordinating lead author to the IPCC’s Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters report, AIDMI has expanded its focus on extreme heat. Current initiatives include developing tools for heat adaptation, piloting nature-based cooling strategies in cities, and supporting small businesses and farmers exposed to heat stress. It also convenes community forums on humanitarian justice across South Asia and facilitates exploratory roundtables on climate preparedness that integrate water, air, and land conservation.

Partnerships with IUCN

AIDMI draws heavily on IUCN’s frameworks and knowledge products, especially ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) and NbS guidance. With IUCN India, AIDMI is now preparing to launch the country’s first-ever nature-based urban heat solutions. This collaboration allows AIDMI to connect local action with global expertise, enhancing its ability to shape inclusive and sustainable resilience strategies.

Looking Ahead

AIDMI hopes to see a future where each disaster restores more than it destroys—for people and for the planet. It aims to scale anticipatory and NbS-based DRR, expand disaster micro-insurance, deepen nature-positive resilience initiatives, and advance climate justice funding for vulnerable communities.

In short, AIDMI’s journey is about reducing the distance between people and the planet. Its work shows that recovery can be regenerative, creating a South Asia where communities not only survive disasters but also emerge stronger and more sustainable.