Cash technology

Digital technology has the potential to transform the way in which cash programmes operate. Mobile payment platforms are already demonstrating how new technologies can have a great impact on efficiencies and convenience for people receiving cash assistance. This is just one example of the potential for the use of technology in this sector. 

© Pierre Grandidier / IFRC

For more information on specific areas of innovation in cash technology, see the following:

> Blockchain and DLT

> RedRose resources and Toolkit

22 May 2023

Vertical integration: Sharing data on a person with a payments or messaging provider to extend services

Type:

Report

Organization:

ECHO, IFRC, Norwegian Red Cross, NRC, Save the Children

The growth in CVA programming is enabled by the increasing adoption of mobile phones, which facilitate registration, information sharing, and payments for CVA. This use case focuses on sharing data on a person with a third party that is contracted to provide a payments or messaging-related service.

  • Cash technology
  • DIGID
  • Information management

22 May 2023

Individual referral: Sharing data on a person with a partner, donor or government for follow-up services

Type:

Report

Organization:

ECHO, IFRC, Norwegian Red Cross, NRC, Save the Children

In many cases organizations collect and hold sensitive personal data on the people they are supporting. This may include names, addresses, phone numbers, biometric data, bank account information and an assessment of their needs and vulnerability. Separate to the challenges of an organization managing this data responsibility, there are also circumstances where it may be necessary to share this data with other organizations. This use case considers cases where data may need to be shared to enable continuity of services, enable integrated programming, provide protection referrals, manage complaints, respond to donor audit requirements or in response to requests (or demands) from governments (or other authorities).

  • Cash technology
  • DIGID
  • Information management

22 May 2023

Organizational referral: Sharing data on which organisations can provide what kind of support to whom

Type:

Learning

Organization:

ECHO, IFRC, Norwegian Red Cross, NRC, Save the Children

Humanitarian Outcomes estimates that there were around 5,000 organizations in the humanitarian system in 2021. These figures are likely an underestimate, particularly if we include the role played by local organizations in relation to protection referrals and referrals for other types of humanitarian services. The rapid increase in the use of multipurpose cash as a modality presents a challenge to the sectoral approach to coordination. This use case explores the demand for greater interoperability and/or sharing of data on which organizations can provide what kind of assistance to which people.

  • Cash technology
  • DIGID
  • Information management

22 May 2023

Deduplication of People, Families or Households

Type:

Report

Organization:

ECHO, IFRC, Norwegian Red Cross, NRC, Save the Children

Adoption of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) by the humanitarian community has consistently increased over the last six years. It is likely that the numbers will continue to grow. With large transfer volumes, even a small fraction of duplicate payments may add up to large sums of money with high opportunity costs. In practical terms this means that some people in urgent need of support may not be assisted due to the limited resources available. This use case explores the challenge of ensuring organizations do not duplicate assistance or create gaps in supporting eligible people, families or households.

  • Cash technology
  • DIGID
  • Information management

22 May 2023

Enabling dignified humanitarian assistance through safe data sharing landscape mapping

Type:

Learning

Organization:

ECHO, IFRC, Norwegian Red Cross, NRC, Save the Children

The landscape mapping report is divided into five separate reports. The overview report covers high-level drivers and challenges, opportunities for improving the interoperability of systems and data sharing in the context of cash and voucher assistance (CVA). The four separate ‘use case’ reports (in the ‘same Projects’ block) relate to ‘pain points’ in the overall CVA business process.

  • Cash technology
  • DIGID
  • Information management

27 March 2023

Uganda: Dignified Identity in cash assistance to flood affected women in Bukedea District

Type:

Video

Organization:

IFRC, Uganda Red Cross

The Uganda Red Cross and the IFRC, with support from the Dignified Identity in Cash Assistance (DIGID) Consortium, explored opportunities and risks of digital credentials to establish eligibility for cash assistance in the context of migration for internally displaced people affected by floods in Bukedea district, Uganda.

  • Cash technology
  • DIGID
  • Information management

In partnership with:

British Red Cross