Building Blocks is a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) that enables cash transfers to refugees in conflict zones using blockchain technology.
Usually, the WFP prefers to use financial institutions to distribute cash using debit cards. However, local financial institutions can often be unreliable or simply not big enough to process payments in conflict zones. For these situations, the WFP created Building Blocks as a direct way to distribute cash to program participants using mobile payments. The solution benefits more than 100,000 Syrian refugees living in camps in Jordan.
Cash from the U.N. WFP is kept in individuals’ accounts on the blockchain ledger and all transactions are recorded on the permissioned blockchain. Building Blocks also partnered with UNHCR’s biometric identification system, which allows refugees to pay for food from shops in the refugee camp by scanning their eyes.
Article continues …
Want the full story? Pro subscribers get complete articles, exclusive industry analysis, and early access to legislative updates that keep you ahead of the competition. Join the professionals who are choosing deeper insights over surface level news.
