LONDON — Aid organizations in conflict zones are working with some of those in need of the most urgent help worldwide — yet partners attempting to send them funds via banks and payment providers are likely to run into delays, restrictions, and rejections.
Legal constraints and bank de-risking efforts have created barriers to sending funds to conflict-affected areas — and more barriers mean longer delays, which in turn means more lives lost.
“We want to make sure we’re meeting the most in need and we’re looking at the data in rebel-held areas and noticing how hard it is to get aid into the more difficult areas,” said Yolande Wright, deputy director at the U.K. Department for International Development’s conflict, humanitarian and security department, on a panel at this week’s Bond conference in London.