About HDI

HDI at Wheaton College takes an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to advancing scientific insights and responses to complex humanitarian problems. HDI also advances humanitarian assistance by partnering with a wide-range of regional, national, and international strategic partners.

Our Uniqueness

The HDI at Wheaton College is:

  • The first faith-based academic disaster research center in the country
  • One of the few academic disaster or humanitarian centers in Illinois and the Midwest, and
  • Among only a small group of truly interdisciplinary academic disaster or humanitarian centers in the country

Our Vision

The Humanitarian Disaster Institute (HDI) envisions a world where the response by the church and faith-based organizations to humanitarian disasters and conflict bears witness to Christ and the Church by:

  • Reducing the humanitarian toll of crises, conflicts, and disasters
  • Promoting community development and rebuilding, and
  • Strengthening people and communities against future crises, conflicts, and disasters

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