Working with a local telecommunications company, the World Food Programme (WFP) has developed a program in the Ivory Coast to facilitate cash transfers that can be used by thousands of Ivorians to by food despite a climate of political violence.
WFP provides $75.00 per month to households, benefiting 54,000 people in the Ivory Coast. However, people have had trouble accessing the money because of unrest plaguing Ivory Coast since the contested 2010 presidential election. The phone cash transfer system works as follows:
“When a beneficiary receives a text message on their mobile phone alerting them that cash is available, they have to dial in a personal code (provided by WFP) to confirm receipt. They can then go to any MTN kiosk in Abidjan where they can withdraw cash on showing their WFP beneficiary card.
A WFP official said people could also get their money through any Societe Generale bank in the city or purchase goods directly from one of WFP’s partner shops.”
If the program continues to succeed, it could become a model for other WFP programs in countries where instability or high crime predominate.
Photo credit: Reuters via International Business Times
