Delivering Aid By Text Message

by Mike Smith · 2009-10-27 13:44:00 UTC
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Iraqi refugees living in Syria has begun receiving vouchers for food aid by text message. The UN food vouchers involve 1000 test families who receive a $22 of vouchers every two months. Beneficiaries are able to exchange the texted voucher for cheese, eggs, canned fish, rice, flour etc at certain shops. But phones would cost substantially more though, right? Surely refugees wouldn't have such widespread access to phones.

Incorrect! A World Food Program spokeswomen explained that all 130,000 Iraqi refugees currently receiving food aid in Syria have phones. The UN deliver news about food distribution by phone, and the project just extends that work. The spokeswoman further explained "It also is better for the economies of the communities ... we're not giving food away but we're actually providing an additional market to the local shopkeepers."

A similar scheme has been run in Kenya by Irish aid agency Cocern, they explained "This technology can get the money here in minutes compared with the very difficult logistics of bringing in food." Rather than dumping food aid and putting farmers out of business, vouchers are exchanged for money which is then spent buying food from local farmers. It allows them to stay in business and helps stimulate the economy.

Photo credit: DVIDSHUB

Mike Smith
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