The Cash Learning Bulletin : New research into e- transfers

The Cash Learning Bulletin
December 2013 /
January 2014
Pour lire le bulletin d’information du CaLP en FRANÇAIS, veuillez cliquer ici.
The Cash Learning Bulletin : New research into etransfers published by the Cash Learning
Partnership
Action research and evidence gathering are key activities undertaken by the Cash Learning
Partnership (CaLP). These initiatives aim to improve cash transfer programming (CTP)
implementation and raise awareness about CTP and its use as an appropriate and effective
mechanism for emergency response.
The use of electronic transfers (e-transfers) in humanitarian CTP has grown and is increasingly
recognised as an effective and efficient delivery mechanism in certain contexts. Following
recommendations made in CaLP’s 2011 research on e-transfers, ‘New Technologies in Cash
Transfer Programming and Humanitarian Assistance’, as well as clear interest from the
CaLP community of practice, an additional three pieces of work on e-transfers were
1
undertaken in 2013, two of which have just been released.
- "E-transfers in emergencies: implementation support guidelines"
E-transfers are a form of value transfer that relies on digital payment systems. The great many
benefits they can provide for aid recipients and aid agencies alike in terms of increased
security, convenience, privacy, speed, reduced operational/transaction costs and logistics,
have been widely documented.2 Equally, many aid agencies have experienced challenges
implementing e-transfers in relation to mobile network coverage and reliability, the presence of
e-transfer agents, liquidity constraints and low education levels among beneficiaries. Learning
from and responding to these challenges is essential. The "E-transfers in emergencies:
implementation support guidelines" are designed for field practitioners (as well as their
extended teams in management and programme support
functions) of aid agencies engaged in humanitarian responses that
incorporate cash transfers programmes delivered through digital
payment systems.
These guidelines assume prior knowledge of CTP and focus
exclusively on implementing e-transfers. They do not elaborate on
decisions relating to whether or not cash is a viable programme
option. These guidelines are designed as guidance sheets that
can be used as reference documents to enable practitioners to
easily access their sections of interest or relevance, yet some
elements are cross-referenced throughout the documents.
The guidelines are organised into five sections:
A. Types of e-transfer mechanisms
B. Choosing e-transfer mechanisms
C. Setting up and using e-transfer mechanisms
D. Compliance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Protection and Complaints
E. Additional guidance
Download the guidelines in pdf format from the CaLP website.
- "Protecting beneficiary privacy: Principles and operational standards for the secure
use of personal data in cash and e-transfer programmes"
E-transfers carry inherent privacy-related risks associated with
the collection and handling of beneficiaries’ personal data. Yet
these risks have largely gone unrecognised and unaddressed
and there is very limited practical guidance. Recent
publications such as ‘Humanitarianism in a Network
Age’ (OCHA 2013) and the ICRC ‘Professional Standards for
Protection work’ (2013) highlight this concern.
Informed by this context, CaLP embarked on the development
of a set of principles and operational standards that aim to
support ethical cash and e-transfers and help ensure principled
use of beneficiary data. They provide organisations with
principles and rules outlining the responsibilities for proper
practice for all parties/organisations involved in e-transfers.
The principles and operational standards are organized into eight sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Respect
Protect by design
Understand data flows and risks
Quality and accuracy
Obtain consent or inform beneficiaries as to the use of their data
Security
Disposal
Accountability
Download the document in pdf format from the CaLP website.
The third and final piece of research undertaken in this thematic area focuses on‘Factors
Affecting the Cost-efficiency of Electronic Transfers in Humanitarian Programmes.’ This piece
of research was carried out on behalf of CaLP by Oxford Policy Management and Concern
Worldwide. It is currently being finalized and will be published in early 2014 on the CaLP
website.
1 Visa Inc. has supported all three pieces of work, DfID has supported the e-guidelines and Principles and Operational Standards.
2.See: USAID (2012) Standards and Practices Report for Electronic and Mobile Payments. A report by Deloitte Consulting
Other News
SHARE INFORMATION
CaLP is keen to share knowledge in CTP acquired by the community of practice, to support learning
and best practice. If you would like to share case studies, research, articles to be published on CaLP’s
website, please write to [email protected].
NEW RESOURCES – December 2013 / January 2014
Transferts monétaires inconditionnels pour la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire de ménages
déplacés et l’aide au retour dans leurs villages d’origine. Niger (Etude de cas CaLP)
Amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire, protection des moyens d’existence et prévention de la
malnutrition des familles affectées par la crise alimentaire de 2011/12. Niger (Etude de cas CaLP)
Analyse coût-bénéfice des actions d'atténuation de Cash For Work menées en phase précoce
Intervention prolongee de secours et de redressement 2013 en Mauritanie - volet transfert monetaires
conditionnel en milieu rural captalisation (region du Brakna)
The CaLP is the Cash Learning Patnership of Oxfam GB,
Save the Children, the British Red Cross, Action Against Hunger /
ACF International and the Norwegian Refugee Council
Find us on:
Working in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC
the CaLP is supported by ECHO, USAID/OFDA, VISA, CIDA and DFID