Mr. M.P. Vasimalai, Executive Director of DHAN Foundation, was honoured with the prestigious Global Pioneer of Mutual Microinsurance Award by the ICMIF Foundation during its inaugural Mutual Microinsurance Network Seminar held in Manila, Philippines (17–19 June 2026). The award recognizes his visionary leadership and pioneering contribution to advancing mutual microinsurance, strengthening financial inclusion, and extending social protection to vulnerable communities through community-owned institutions.
The ICMIF Foundation conferred its highest recognition on three global leaders in mutual microinsurance — Mr. M.P. Vasimalai (India), Dr. Nelson Kuria (Kenya), and Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip (Philippines) — for their outstanding contributions to the global mutual microinsurance movement. The seminar, themed "Replicating Success Globally: Scaling the Mutual Microinsurance Model for the Poorest," brought together microinsurance leaders, policymakers, and development practitioners from across the world to share innovations and best practices in expanding insurance protection for low-income communities.
This international recognition highlights DHAN Foundation's pioneering role in promoting community-based mutual insurance models that enhance financial resilience, climate resilience, and social security for poor and vulnerable families through its SPICE Institution — People Mutuals. It also reinforces DHAN's enduring commitment to building people-owned institutions that create sustainable and inclusive development.
DHAN Foundation has been honoured by water.org with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Recognition of Contribution Award for its outstanding partnership in advancing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives across India.
The recognition celebrates DHAN Foundation's dedicated leadership and sustained collaboration with Water.org since April 2013, through which 36 lakh (3.6 million) people have gained access to improved WASH services. Water.org also recognised DHAN Foundation for facilitating ₹2,000 crores in WASH capital, enabling thousands of poor and vulnerable families to invest in household toilets, safe drinking water connections, and other essential sanitation facilities.
The awards acknowledge the remarkable contribution of SUHAM (Sustainable Healthcare Advancement), the healthcare vertical of DHAN Foundation. Established to strengthen community-owned healthcare systems, SUHAM works through an integrated approach covering community health and nutrition, sanitation and safe water, and medical care and diagnosis. Its programmes combine preventive, promotive and curative healthcare while strengthening access to government entitlements and community-led institutions.
Through its Sanitation and Safe Water initiatives, SUHAM promotes household toilets, individual water connections, roof water harvesting, water filtration systems and behaviour change communication to encourage safe hygiene practices. Working closely with community institutions, financial organisations and mainstream service providers, SUHAM has enabled families to adopt sustainable WASH solutions that improve health, dignity and quality of life.
This recognition from Water.org is a testament to the strength of long-term partnerships and community-led development. It reflects the collective efforts of DHAN Foundation, SUHAM Trust, People's Organisations (Federations), field teams, banking partners and community members who have worked together to make safe water and sanitation accessible and affordable for millions.
As DHAN Foundation continues its mission of Building Institutions for Generations, this milestone reinforces its commitment to creating healthier, resilient and empowered communities through sustainable WASH interventions and inclusive development.