Technology and innovation are continuing to transform the way we work, and humanitarian aid is no exception. Traditional methods of assistance — where beneficiaries may have to wait in line for cash, paper vouchers or food items — can bring with them a whole host of issues, including security problems, identity fraud, or corruptibility and mismanagement of funding.
As a result, digital payments are an increasingly appealing option for aid organizations — and traditional aid may no longer be the norm in countries where digital solutions can take their place.
The right conditions have to be in place for any innovative solutions to emerge, and solid infrastructure is an important foundation. For example in Jordan, with its strong telecommunications industry and relatively robust road networks, a stable base for cash-free assistance has been created.
About the author
Helen Morgan
Helen Morgan is a journalist and editor, primarily focusing on climate change, migration, humanitarian crises, and human rights. She was previously an Associate Editor at Devex, where she managed the op-eds section and led a project covering climate resilience in small island developing states. Helen was also features editor at World Politics Review, and editor and writer at the environmental think tank WRI, as well as editing for The New Humanitarian. She lives and works in Barcelona, Spain.
