• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Our Services
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Top Nav Social Icons

Mobile ID World

Mobile ID World

Identification Revolution

  • Mobile ID
    • What Is Mobile ID?
    • Identity Associations
    • Premier Partners
    • FAQ
  • News
  • Solutions
    • Behavioral
    • Facial Recognition
    • Fingerprint Biometrics
    • Iris Biometrics
    • Second Factor
    • Smart Cards
    • Smartphones
    • Vital
    • Voice
    • Wearable Tech
    • Other
  • Applications
    • Access Control
    • Cloud Technology
    • Commerce
    • Enterprise
    • Healthcare
    • Identification
    • Internet of Things
    • Law Enforcement
    • Strong Online Authentication
  • Exclusive
    • Interviews
    • Featured Articles
    • Podcasts
  • Companies
  • Events

UNHCR Prioritizes Mobile Money in Financial Aid Programs for Refugees

January 6, 2021

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is detailing some of its 2020 accomplishments in its mission to improve financial inclusion. The agency called particular attention to its policy of Cash-Based Interventions (CBI), which places liquid capital in the hands of displaced refugees.

UNHCR Prioritizes Mobile Money in Financial Aid Programs for Refugees

In the past, such interventions involved the exchange of physical cash. However, the UNHCR is hoping that mobile money services will raise accountability and make CBI programs more convenient and more secure. The organization has moved forward with digital payment programs in 47 countries, in many cases partnering with local financial services providers and telecommunications companies to facilitate the distribution of funds.

Thirty-two percent of those countries have set up some kind of mobile money program. The UNHCR has prioritized local partnerships because it allows refugees to establish themselves and contribute to the local economy over time. In that regard, the UNHCR noted that the latest Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines recognize refugee documents as valid proof of identity when opening a bank account, which removes one of the primary legal barriers facing refugees who may not have any other form of identification.

Of course, financial inclusion goes hand-in-hand with digital inclusion, since people cannot take advantage of mobile money if they do not have access to mobile services. To that end, the UNHCR highlighted the ongoing efforts of the GSMA, which has undertaken multiple digital accessibility initiatives to make sure that more people are able to enjoy the benefits of the world’s modern communications infrastructure. Mobile technology will also make it easier and safer to distribute funds, since it will enable contactless transactions and eliminate the health risks of cash during the pandemic.

The UNHCR has previously used biometrics to verify people’s identities for its Cash-Based Intervention schemes. For example, the agency used IrisGuard’s EyePay Cash iris recognition platform to facilitate a remittances program for refugees in Egypt. That project was carried out in collaboration with the Egypt National Post, which speaks to the agency’s desire to work with members of the local ecosystem.

Filed Under: Industry News Tagged With: Cash-Based Interventions, CBI, financial inclusion, financial inclusivity, GSMA, mobile money, refugee aid, UNHCR, UNHCR Financial Action Task Force, United Nations

Related News & Articles

Starbucks Korea Introduces Bixby Enabled Voice Ordering

Gemalto Enables TSH for Mastercard, Visa Tokenization Services

Fujitsu Becomes NNL S3 Authentication Suite Reseller

Primary Sidebar

Register For the Next Virtual Identity Summit

Travel & Hospitality Biometrics Online Summit
Register now!

Tweets

Sponsored Links

FACEPHI is a global leader in Facial Recognition technology and in Mobile Biometrics technologies. With a strong concentration in the financial sector, FacePhi's product is rapidly becoming a service used by banks all over the world. Its implementation doesn’t just save money, it is also a way to attract clients and build loyalty, while increasing the security of transactions for both the customer and the business. To learn more about FacePhi, visit https://www.facephi.com/en/

Recent Posts

  • ‘Meta Pay’ Plans Hint at Digital ID Applications
  • Google Switches to New In-display Fingerprint Sensor for Upcoming Pixel 6a
  • Meta Deactivates Instagram Filters for Users in Texas and Illinois
  • Selfie Onboarding Specialist Names New CFO
  • Google Wants People to Store Everything in the New Google Wallet

Footer

  • About Us
  • Company Directory
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Archives
  • CCPA: Do not sell my personal info.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2022 MobileIDWorld