Unhcr the un refugee agency

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.

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.

Improving Humanitarian Payments Through Digital Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities

This report assesses the challenges and opportunities of responsibly digitizing the delivery of humanitarian payments through an exploration of five key technologies.

Done Right, Digital Finance Could Transform Humanitarian Response

Originally published on CGAP.org

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.

WFP's new e-card reduces Syrian refugees suffering

As part of its massive humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is rolling out an innovative electronic voucher programme in Lebanon that wil…

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…

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.

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.

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…

Empowering People One Transaction at a Time

Empowering People One Transaction at a Time: Leading Corporations, Foundations and Development Organizations Form “Better Than Cash Alliance” to Accelerate Global Shift to Electronic Payments

Catholic Relief Services Joins Better Than Cash Alliance

CRS Commits to Increase Electronic Payments to Strengthen Local Economies…

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.

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. …

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…

Cash Digitization: UN Collaboration, Coordination, and Harmonization Opportunities

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

Call to Action: Responsible Digital Payments to Accelerate Climate Action

Urgent measures needed to address climate vulnerability impacting 3.6 billion people, particularly women and marginalized groups.

Improving climate resilience & disaster response through digital payments: Insights from the 2023 HLPF expert roundtable

Insights from the 2023 HLPF expert roundtable

Distributed Ledger Technology and Digital Identity: Prospects and Pitfalls Ahead

Blockchain Series: Blog 4