About Us
The HADR Institute is a not-for-profit humanitarian organisation dedicated to enhancing global humanitarian effectiveness. We are passionate about strengthening local capacity, enhancing disaster resilience, and supporting community-driven responses to crises.
We operate across multiple regions, focusing on proactive disaster risk reduction, humanitarian access, and advocacy. By integrating localisation, anticipatory action, and community leadership into our programs, we ensure long-term sustainability and impact. Through collaboration with local organisations, international partners, and government bodies, we work to bridge the gap between policy and practice in humanitarian response.
Our Values and Guiding Principles
Community-Centred Approach
We place the needs, priorities, and leadership of local communities and community-based organisations at the heart of our work. By engaging those who best understand their context, we ensure that assistance is appropriate, culturally sensitive, and sustained beyond our direct involvement.
Local Ownership
We collaborate with local stakeholders to co-design programs and share expertise. Success is measured by the degree to which local actors gain capacity, thereby we reduce dependence on external support.
Human Rights & Protection
Upholding dignity and fundamental rights underpins every aspect of our operations. We embed safeguarding and protection measures throughout our programs, paying particular attention to vulnerable or marginalised groups.
Innovation & Adaptability
We adopt flexible methods and appropriate technology to respond to a diverse range of humanitarian challenges. Whether conditions are stable or highly complex, we adapt our approaches while staying true to our charitable mission.
Sustainability & Accountability
We place the needs, priorities, and leadership of local communities and community-based organisations at the heart of our work. By engaging those who best understand their context, we ensure that assistance is appropriate, culturally sensitive, and sustained beyond our direct involvement.
Core Humanitarian Principles
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Alleviating suffering, protecting life, and respecting the inherent dignity of people in crisis, guided by local needs assessments.
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Providing assistance based solely on need, without discrimination on grounds such as race, religion, gender, or political affiliation.
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We do not take sides in hostilities or political disputes, but neutrality will not compromise our commitment to underserved communities, prioritising humanity, impartiality and the access required to serve communities in need.
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We strive for operational autonomy, free from external political or economic agendas. Where constraints exist for particular programs, we remain transparent, upholding humanitarian and human rights commitments.
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Our Leadership Team
FOUNDER & CEO
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Mitch King is an experienced leader in humanitarian and disaster management, with a career dedicated to supporting communities in complex and high-risk environments.
As the founder and CEO of the HADR Institute, he has spearheaded innovative programs that focus on localisation, community-driven solutions, and anticipatory action.
Holding a Master of Laws (LLM) specialising in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law, Mitch combines academic expertise with practical field experience. He has received national commendations for establishing intelligence and disaster capabilities that supported critical awareness and early warning systems during national emergencies. Mitch has also played a pivotal role in designing and implementing humanitarian programs and providing disaster intelligence to global crises, during both his career in the defence and humanitarian sectors.
MYANMAR PRINCIPLED ACTION PROGRAM MANAGER
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Giulia brings experience having built meaningful connection and worked closely with communities in Myanmar. Her strategic fundraising initiatives are informed by her strong insights of the complex humanitarian landscape afforded by living and operating along the Thai-Myanmar border. She has developed fundraising strategies, secured support from international donors, and worked closely with partners to enhance program sustainability and local leadership. Her background spans program management and fundraising specialist and is well versed in donor-funded projects and partnerships in humanitarian, development, and human rights contexts.
Giulia is deeply committed to promoting localisation and strengthening the voice and leadership of local civil society actors in humanitarian action.
Managing Director, Chin Humanitarian Hub Program
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Lawm Cangmah is the Managing Director of the Chin Humanitarian Enablement Program (CHEP) under the Humanitarian Assistance & Desaster Relief Institute (HADRI).
He holds a Bachelor of Human Services and a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, combining his academic background with years of hands-on experience in community development, engagement, and project management.
Lawm is a passionate advocate for Chin refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), dedicating his work to advancing humanitarian support, empowerment initiatives, and sustainable community resilience for the Chin Refugees. His leadership focuses on creating inclusive pathways for vulnerable communities to rebuild their lives and thrive.
Chin Hub, Humanitarian Support Coordinator
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Muan Hlui is the Chin Hub Humanitarian Support Coordinator at the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Institute (HADRI), where she plays a key role in advancing humanitarian efforts for the Chin communities, particularly in response to the ongoing challenges faced by Chin refugees.
A passionate advocate for humanitarian support and community wellbeing, Muan is also committed to promoting health equity and multicultural engagement. Alongside her role at HADRI, she works as a Program Development Coordinator at Brisbane South Primary Health Network (PHN), contributing to initiatives that strengthen collaboration and inclusion across diverse communities.
Muan brings compassion, dedication, and a community-centered approach to all her work, driving meaningful impact in both the humanitarian and health sectors.
MYANMAR HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT OFFICER
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Abigail has a background in International Relations and Peace & Conflict Studies and a strong commitment to supporting inclusive and locally led humanitarian responses. Her experience in Indonesia, where she worked closely with government departments, community-based organisations, and NGOs, helped shape her belief in the importance of centring lived experience in development practice. She is passionate about working in partnership to make responses locally driven, ensuring humanitarian efforts are not only effective but also shaped by those they aim to serve.
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Andrew Wright is an experienced business leader.
Andrew is an international finance senior executive with extensive experience across capital raisings and finance structuring, development finance and fund management.
Andrew has over 23 years of experience across the globe, including in Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
Andrew is a Fellow of the Certified Practicing Accountants of Australia and Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
PACIFIC SUPPORT PROGRAM MANAGER
GENERAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
DIRECTOR & TREASURER
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Hannah Stoios is a dedicated and experienced humanitarian and disaster management professional with a passion for international development.
Hannah has expertise in international project management with a particular focus on advocating for vulnerable groups, promoting innovative solutions, and supporting capacity strengthening initiatives.
Hannah has a master's in disaster management and international development, and a background in linguistics and education.
STRATEGY & RISK DIRECTOR
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Robert Campbell is a manager and leader in Defence, consulting and the non-profit sector.
Rob served for over fifteen years in the Australian Defence Force with operational experience in HADR and SASO in both combat arms and staff support roles. Rob has particular expertise in Geospatial Information Services (GiS) management.
Rob has a history of volunteering in youth and social services and he is currently working in GiS consulting for government.
Rob has a Master’s of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy.
LinkedIn
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Aaron has a background in defence, humanitarian logistics, and risk assessment, leading the development of a deployable small-UAS damage-assessment capability for remote environments across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Aaron brings robust expertise in operational readiness, system evaluation, regulatory liaison, and training pathways for operational personnel. His military experience includes managing unmanned aerial systems and leading teams in various international operational settings. He is driven to enable rapid, effective crisis responses with a commitment to community-centred and culturally appropriate interventions.
Policies and Compliance
As a registered charity working in the humanitarian, international development and disaster response sector, the HADR Institute takes policy and compliance requirements seriously, to ensure our work is serving people the way we intend.
2030 Strategic Guide
2025-2027 Operational Plan
