UN Women and the World Food Programme (WFP) announced in a statement Tuesday (September 18th) they will start implementing blockchain to assist Syrian refugee women participating in UN Women’s cash for work programmes at the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan.
Cash transfers have traditionally been made available to refugees through third-party financial service providers such as banks.
But through the partnership, women who participate in the UN Women cash for work programme will be able to access their funds directly and the accounts will be kept securely on a blockchain network.
The partnership stems from WFP’s Building Blocks project, which already provides cash transfers to 106,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan through a blockchain-based system.
According to the statement, women will scan their eyes to request cash back at WFP-contracted supermarkets. This will link to their accounts on the blockchain, and the amount of the cash distributions is automatically sent to Building Blocks, the Jordan Times reported.
This should result in improved security and accountability, the statement said. There are also opportunities for cost and risk reduction, as well as increased harmonisation of aid efforts.
"At WFP, we will explore every possible way to deliver the help people need, in the most efficient and effective means available," said WFP executive director David Beasley.
