ICT4D and Cash Transfers to IDPs in BamakoCRS Mali

Cash, Cell Phones, iPads, & Debit Cards

Mobile Services that Empower Vulnerable Communities

Ousmane MAIGAHead of ProgramMarch 20, 2013

ICT4D ConferenceAccra, Ghana

Emergency Cash Transfers to IDPsBamako (Communes 3, 4, 6)

Goal: 4,000 displaced persons (599 households) in Bamako can respond to their top 2 priority needs without resorting to negative coping strategies.Partners: Office of Civil Protection, National Agriculture Development Bank (BNDA), IOMBudget : $ 501,811 USDLength of project: 6 months (July-December 2012)Why ICT4D? Facilitates communication, beneficiary registration, payment verification, M&E, beneficiary dignity

ICT4D Solution: iPads for Beneficiary Registration

1. Verification Table2. iPad Registration Table3. Accountant Table

4. Payment in secure location

Software/Vendor: iPad & license for cloud-based iFormbuilder (iformbuilder.com) Tech Support Required: NoneStaff Support: Train staff to use iPads & iFormbuilder; Follow-up during implementation to problem-solve & brainstorm

Pros & Cons: iPads

PROs• Information saved on iPads can be uploaded

rapidly to the online database, eliminating data entry errors.

• Thanks to iPads, the payment/distribution list can be verified the same day with M&E.

• The ability to take beneficiary photos with iPads serves as a deterrant for non-beneficiaries to cheat the system.

CONs• Capturing open-ended responses inpost-

distribution surveys can be challenging if the surveyor is not very accustomed to typing on a touch-screen tool.

ICT4D Solution: Debit Cards

1. Sign contract with bank (BNDA) 2. Bank supplies debit cards &

secret PINs3. Distribute debit cards & PINs to

beneficiaries• Confirm identity, distribute card & PIN• Hostesses assist beneficiaries to use ATMs

Djélika Haidara, IDP from Timbuktu, holds her debit card

Software/Vendor: BankTech Support: None Staff Support: None

PROs: Cash vs. Debit Cards

CASH• Establishes a face-to-face connection between

beneficiaries, authorities, and CRS. • On-site resolution of problems or questions.• Beneficiaries gather in 1 place, making it easier to

conduct post-distribution and satisfaction surveys.• Same-day verification of the number of beneficiaries

that registered and the number that received cash.

DEBIT CARD• Withdrawals can be made when & where

beneficiaries choose, at their convenience.• 35 ATM locations across Mali (15 in Bamako).• The bank provides all necessary personnel.• Eliminates the risk of insecurity or fraud associated

with direct cash distributions.• Engages beneficiaries with formal banking systems.

Training at ATMs

CONs: Cash vs. Debit CardsCASH• CRS provided all personnel and organized all

distributions, including calls to beneficiaries to assign days/times and staff for verification.

• Potential chaos on distribution days, i.e. beneficiaries may show up on days or times that were not assigned to them, resulting in long wait times.

DEBIT CARD• Illiteracy makes remembering PINs and using

ATMs more challenging. • ATMs lacked small bills.• ATMs go down when the internet does.• Establishing bank contracts can be time-

consuming.• Beneficiary liberty makes M&E collection more

difficult.

A BNDA hostess demonstrates how to use the ATM.

Lessons Learned using ICT4D

CELL PHONES1. Designate a phone line for feedback, FAQs, advice,

etc. 2. Plan for the staff (and staff time) to call beneficiaries

to give them distribution times/dates. iPADs3. GPS on iPads can make it easier to locate beneficiary

lodgings in order to conduct M&E. 4. Camara on the iPads makes it easy to identify

beneficiaries and resolve any confusion between 2 IDPs.

DEBIT CARDS5. Debit cards uphold beneficiary dignity—after the

initial distribution, debit cards can be used at the beneficiary’s discretion.

NEXT TIME…6. Add bar codes to beneficiary participation cards to

further accelerate registration and verification.

This 3-year old, who fled Gao with her mother and 6 siblings, holds her family’s participant card, Nov. 2012

(Helen Blakesley/CRS)

ICT4D Costs

*higher costs may be necessary in areas where bank networks/ATMs do not exist

Unit QuantityUnit Cost Frequency TOTAL

BNDA Prepaid debit card Card 500 $12 1 $6,000Cost to charge/recharge Recharge 500 $2 1 $1,000 $7,000

Orange MoneyWeb SMS service access fee fee 1 $51 1 $51Monthly SMS fees (600 SMS) fee 1 $71 1 $71

Cash Distribution service fees transaction 500 $4 1 $2,000

Staff presence at initial distribution (5 locations*3 days) person/day 15 $45 1 $675Purchase of cell phones cell phone 500 $22 1 $11,000Purchase of SIM cards (donated by Orange) card 500 $0 1 $0 $13,797iPads iPad + Griffin cover iPad 2 $549 1 $1098iFormbuilder license license 2 $4 1 $8

$1106

85% food

43% health28% lodgings

24% clothes9% communication/transport

5% to other IDPs

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85% able to meet family obligations

31% access to basic health services

23% restored dignity

12% access to material goods4% education

4% otherFamily

Help

Resignation

Labor/S

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Debt

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Coping Strategies Before & After

Before Cash After Cash

Results Achieved3,777 IDPs received cash distributions

(573 HH, of which 274 were female-headed HH)

Total Amount Distributed (*Nov 2012)$ 285,538.70 (cash)

$73,078.64 (debit card)

Key Messages

• There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in a dynamic, diverse emergency context, even within the same country. Multiple systems (direct cash, debit cards, mobile money) should be considered at the same time in order to serve all those in need.

• Cash transfers must combine speed, efficiency, and innovation, and the approach must be flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.

• You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Have confidence that people can learn to use new systems, like debit cards and mobile money.

QUESTIONS?