Cash Transfers
Cash transfers are a development and humanitarian intervention where money is provided directly to individuals or households, typically to alleviate poverty, support livelihoods, or respond to emergencies. They can be unconditional (no strings attached) or conditional (requiring specific actions like school attendance), and are often delivered via digital platforms, mobile money, or physical cash. This approach empowers recipients to make their own spending decisions, aiming to increase efficiency and dignity compared to in-kind aid.
Developers should learn about cash transfers when working on projects in international development, humanitarian aid, fintech, or social protection systems, as they require technical solutions for secure, scalable, and transparent delivery. Use cases include building mobile payment integrations for aid distribution, developing monitoring and evaluation tools to track impact, or creating data analytics platforms to optimize transfer programs. Understanding this methodology helps in designing systems that ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries efficiently and reduce fraud.