Transparency and security

LEARNING SERIES >> Collaborating to scale the responsible digitization of humanitarian payments

There is an urgent need and powerful opportunity to further boost the outreach, efficiency, and efficacy of digital humanitarian payments through enhanced coordination between UN agencies.

It’s not just about fresh capital for Africa: it is about deployment

Distributed Ledger Technology and Digital Identity: Prospects and Pitfalls Ahead

Blockchain Series: Blog 4

The importance of partnerships in humanitarian response

Crises of all sorts, from conflicts to natural disasters to health emergencies, are happening at unprecedented rates around the world — so much so that the United Nations convened the first World Humanitarian Summit this week.

Five Ways Digital Payments Are Coming to the Rescue in Emergencies

The ability to make and receive payments electronically has emerged, in recent years, as a technology hero during natural disasters and health pandemics. At a time when more people than ever…

Saving Money, Saving Lives: A Case Study on the Benefits of Digitizing Payments to Ebola Response Workers in Sierra Leone

This case study sets out key lessons from Sierra Leone’s experience using digital payments to help combat Ebola.

New United Nations study finds digital payments to Ebola response workers saved lives and $10 million

Sierra Leone’s experience shows the critical importance of preparing early for digital payments before crises hit.

Une nouvelle étude des Nations unies révèle que les paiements numériques versés aux équipes d'intervention contre Ebola ont permis de sauver des vies et d'économiser 10 millions de dollars

L'expérience de la Sierra Leone montre qu'il est crucial de se préparer tôt aux paiements numériques avant l'émergence d'une crise.

UNFPA joins the Better Than Cash Alliance to improve programme delivery

Today, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, joined The Better Than Cash Alliance, committing to boost the use of digital payments to improve programme delivery, by generating cost savi…

Inter-American Development Bank becomes first regional development bank to join partnership to advance digital payments

The organization joins a UN-hosted alliance of governments, companies and international organizations to accelerate the move towards digitization of payments

The Better Than Cash Journey: Concern and CARE

This is the fourth in a series of articles written by Maura Hart on the achievements of several Better Than Cash Alliance members. These highlights capture the innovative work by governments, businesses and development organizations to fulfill their commitment to transition from cash to digital payments.

Mercy Corps recognized for providing emergency e-transfers to 25,000 Typhoon survivors in the ‪‎Philippines‬ ‬‬‬‬‬

Beneficiaries received electronic transfers via mobile savings accounts

Electronic transfers in humanitarian response: Good news, bad news and how-to

By taking cash out of the equation, electronic transfers promise a faster, more secure and more transparent (so less corruptible) means of getting help.

The IRC joins the Better Than Cash Alliance

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is pleased to join the Better Than Cash Alliance, in support of our commitment to provide essential services within the first 72 hours of crisis.

Shifting from cash in the midst of crisis: Electronic transfers in the Democratic Republic of Congo

There is growing consensus in the humanitarian community that cash (digital or physical) – as opposed to delivery of food and materials – is often the best way to help communities bounce back from crisis.

Twitter Chat: Digital Payments in Developing Countries

Join the Better Than Cash Alliance and our partners for an online discussion about safety and transparency in digital payments.

Seeing the Benefits of Electronic Aid Delivery Up Close in Rwanda

Earlier this year, we shared the story of the World Food Programme (WFP) introducing cash transfers on mobile phones at the Gihembe refugee camp in northern Rwanda. …

At a Moment’s Notice: Mercy Corps Tests and Deploys an E-Voucher System for Crises in the DRC

The following is a guest post by Sara Murray, Electronic Payments Program Manager at Mercy Corps, a Better Than Cash Alliance member….

First There Was Cash-for-Assets – Could WFP’s New E-Payments Model be Scaled Up Too?

Kenya has been hailed as one of the developing world’s leaders in electronic payments. So it should come as no surprise that a sparsely populated, dusty village 500 kilometres from Nairobi i…

Electronic cash aid gives Rwandan refugees more options

As part of its commitments to enhance food security, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has introduced mobile phone facilitated cash transfers to feed the 14,500 refugees in Gihem…