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...
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Challenges and the State of Play of Interoperability in Cash Transfer Programming
Guidelines and Tools
This study explores the factors driving the design of interoperability for Cash Transfer Programming. It outlines the rapidly changing environment in which digital services are emerging, the types of digital collaborations that could be enabled, and the key design challenges that confront effective...
Cash Transfer Actors in Nepal – NRCS Mapping Exercise
Report
Each year Nepal faces a series of natural disasters, including floods, landslides and food insecurity, causing immense hardship and challenges to communities in the affected districts. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) as the auxiliary to the government is first responder to the needs of the affected...
Nepal Earthquake Response: Lessons for operational agencies
Policy paper
In the aftermath of the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal, this paper looks at lessons drawn from previous comparable disasters and seeks to provide invaluable information and assistance to the operational agencies responding to the crisis. Seventeen Lessons give an overview of important learnings based on...
2015 State of the Industry Report. Mobile Money
Report
Mobile money is reaching more than 411 million people globally. Moreover, it is available in 85% of countries where the vast majority of the population lacks access to a formal financial institution. This is an extraordinary achievement, demonstrating the power of mobile, underpinned by the critical...
State of the Use of Mobile Technologies for Disaster Preparedness in South East Asia
Report
This report summarizes the study conducted by Nanyang Technology University (NTU) in collaboration with the Global Disaster Preparedness Center with support from the USAID-Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to better understand how new communication and information sharing technologies can enhance risk...
Cash Transfers: Progress made but challenges remain
Blog Post
In five years cash programming has come from almost nowhere to being – for some donors at least – the preferred option, especially in the field of food and nutrition. “We no long measure food aid contributions in wheat/tons equivalent,” says Julia Stewart-David of the EU aid body, ECHO. “That...
USAID Procurement Executive’s Bulletin 2014-06
Policy paper
This Bulletin applies to USAID’s Acquisition Workforce consisting of Contracting Officers (COs), Agreement Officers (AOs), Negotiators, CO/AO Representatives (CORs/AORs), and Activity Managers worldwide. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance to the Acquisition Workforce on promoting...
E-Transfers: One Year Later Workshop Learning Document
Report
In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Typhoon Yolanda), an estimated half million storm-affected Filipinos received an electronic cash transfer (e-transfer) to help them rebuild and recover from the storm’s devastation. The presence of a large number of Financial Service Providers...
Electronic Transfers Scoping Study and Preparedness Plan
Policy paper
This piece of work was arranged by Action Against Hunger (ACF), with the intention of understanding the electronic payment services available in a minimum of two country missions and to support ACF in preparing for future humanitarian response in country and globally, with a specific focus on...
Disaster Response: Mobile Money for the Displaced
Report
Advances in mobile technology have opened up new opportunities, not only for communication, but also for using the mobile handset as a platform for a range of applications. The introduction of data transfer facilities and the rise of mobile financial services around the world have allowed mobile money...