Founded in 2008, GiveDirectly is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting families living in extreme poverty in low-income areas. The organization distinguishes itself from traditional development aid by its commitment to making unconditional cash transfers directly to recipients, typically via mobile phones.
This model also allows for immediate assistance during crises like conflicts and natural disasters, where quick and scalable support is essential. In addition, direct cash transfers allow individuals to decide how best to utilize the funds to improve their circumstances — as they see fit.
Direct cash transfers are a fast-growing tool in humanitarian aid, but despite being one of the most studied approaches in aid, they are far less popular in development.