Digital Payments
Digital technology is transforming the way we respond to emergencies. Innovations range from how we identifying people eligible for assistance, to data collection for assessments and monitoring, to communication with crisis-affected communities. Digital payment systems, including mobile devices, electronic vouchers, and cards – when used appropriately – can deliver timelier, more secure, more cost effective, and inclusive assistance. But as the volume of data we collect, store and share about people grows, we must ensure that our data protection systems keep pace and that we understand and mitigate for the risks inherent in new technologies.
Featured Content
Podcast: Is informed consent possible in humanitarian CVA?
Podcast
Episode 2 of the CashCast tackles data responsibility with Amos Doornbos, Linda Raftree, James Eaton Lee and Ric Tighe
Consent and Ownership in the Shift to Digital Cash and Voucher Assistance
Blog Post
Part of committing to cash and voucher assistance (CVA) is committing to going digital and collecting data. While they are two different things, they are deeply intertwined. And while an organisation can ‘go digital’ without cash programmes, it’s nearly impossible to commit to cash programmes in the long term without going digital. Yes, it is true we’ve done cash and voucher programmes...
Latest
Documentary – Palabras para Luciana – Delivering people-centered CVA to people on the move in Colombia
Video
This documentary shows the innovative CVA work of ZOA and RedRose with people on the move along the migration trails in Colombia. Innovative technology, human centered design and impact come together in this project that is implemented in a complex displacement setting.
The documentary tells the...
Paving the Way Towards At-Scale Cash Assistance in South Africa
Report
Climate change presents severe threats in South Africa where droughts, floods, storms, and fires are becoming more frequent and intense, exposing vulnerable populations to heightened risks. After storm surges caused severe flooding of the KwaZulu and Free State provinces in January and April 2024, the...
Mapping of Cash and Voucher Assistances (CVAs) in Türkiye in 2023
Report
TÜRKİYE CASH-BASED INTERVENTIONS TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP | 2024
Cash-Based Interventions Technical Working Group (CBI TWG) published this document to
share a summary of the findings of Mapping of CVAs in Türkiye in 2023, along with the
background information and purpose (Annex A). Further findings...
Humanitarian Organization Culture and Humanitarian Organization Usage of Digital Cash-based Assistance: The mediating role of financial service providers’ technology readiness
Report
The study examined the influence of humanitarian organizations’ culture and financial service providers’ technology readiness on the usage of digital cash-based assistance by humanitarian organizations, the influence of Humanitarian Organization Culture on Financial providers’ technology readiness...
Digital Lifelines: How the Kenya Red Cross Society transforms cash assistance with the 121 platform
Report
As a result of climate-induced extreme weather, large populations in Kenya are experiencing acute food insecurity. To protect lives and livelihoods, the Kenya Red Cross Society has been distributing cash among affected communities so they can meet their needs autonomously and with dignity. With the...
Experience in Piloting the AccessRC Self-Registration Tool in Colombia
Report
The Colombian Red Cross (CRC) in conjunction with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) developed a pilot project to validate the AccessRC self-registration application in Colombia.
This report documents the experience of using the application, the challenges faced,...
Harnessing the Transformative Potential of Generative AI for Humanitarian Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance Opportunities, Risks, Barriers, and Recommendations
Report
This report, authored by Market Impact lead consultant Thomas Byrnes, explores
the transformative potential of Generative AI for Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance
(MPCA) programs in humanitarian contexts. The report is divided into four main
chapters.
- The Potential Opportunities of AI tools and...
Strengthening Cash Assistance in Ukraine: Collaborative digital solutions in action
Report
The escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, combined with harsh winter temperatures, has exacerbated living conditions for affected communities. In response, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has come together, with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society at its forefront, to deliver effective...
Thunes Special Session of the Payment Solution Seekers Group
Meeting minutes
Thunes, a global payments company, presented its strategy and products to the Payment Solution Seekers group, as part of the CALP Network's ongoing initiative to improve private-sector engagement in the payments space.
Digital CVA reading group – Discussion of Brookings Institution Global fund paper
Event
This is an informal and private space for us to discuss two related papers:
- The call for a Global Fund for scaling digital cash transfers by Rory Stewart and Cina Lawson [Link - https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-Room-1-Concept-Note.pdf]
- The paper referenced in this: Updating...
E-Cash Pilot: Digital Solutions for Rural Communities
Report
An innovative digital cash project piloted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province has successfully demonstrated a new and more secure way of providing humanitarian assistance while significantly enhancing the inclusion and resilience of rural...
RedRose presentation to Payments group – Notes, 13th February 2024
Meeting minutes
These meeting notes give details to the Special Session held with RedRose on 13th February 2024, hosted by the Payments group.
The session began with RedRose presenting on its history, guiding principles, partners and five-year strategy. The group then posed a series of curated questions to understand...
Payment solutions for CVA implementers
Event
Cash Voucher Assistance (CVA) implementers are turning to the latest financial technology (FinTech) to boost efficiency, maximize impact, and offer recipients a choice of delivery options.
This event marks the launch of CALP's latest research in this area, specifically examining how payment...
Payment Solutions for CVA Implementers
Report
This report explores how CVA implementers can leverage developments in payment technology to empower recipients, offering them a choice of CVA delivery mechanisms.
Payment Solution Seekers Webinar
Webinar recording
This webinar marked the launch of the Payment solutions for CVA implementers report; which helps implementing organizations, payment companies and regulators leverage FinTech innovations to increase the impact of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA).
Cash Coordination in Poland: Early lessons learnt from the humanitarian response for Ukrainian war refugees
Report
This thesis was submitted for obtaining the Master’s Degree in International Humanitarian Action. By submitting the thesis, the author certifies that the text is from his hand, does not include the work of someone else unless clearly indicated, and that the thesis has been produced in accordance with...
Joint Market Assessment Round 2
Report
This report assesses the feasibility of implementing Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), specifically Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), to support individuals impacted by the February 6 earthquakes. The evaluation focuses on the acceptance of various forms of cash modalities, availability of key items,...
Cash and Voucher Assistance at Scale: Addressing food insecurity by supporting families in the Netherlands
Report
With an increasing number of families experiencing financial trouble in the Netherlands, in September 2022, the Dutch parliament voted to allocate €100 million for free school meals in vulnerable neighbourhoods across the country. After the proposal was approved, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture...
Piloting Mobile Money Cash Assistance in Sudan
Report
In the 7 months since the onset of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, an estimated 6.1 million people have been displaced, making Sudan the country with the highest number of displaced individuals globally. Humanitarian organizations are considering cash assistance as a response to the crisis, employing...
WVI Cash Roadmap 2.0 – New Avenues – Leveraging, multiplying “Nexus” cash to take children and their families further than imagined
Report
WVI's strategic global Cash Roadmap 2.0 (2024-2027) speaks to the organisations' commitment that amidst polycrises and resourcing constraints, there is urgency to maximise and multiply World Vision's capabilities, assets and cash voucher programming (CVP=CVA) is a powerful tool to do so.
Increasing...