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New Fintech Company Creates Tools to Help Communities Thrive

Social Enterprise Fintech for International Development aims to deliver digital solutions that can empower vulnerable communities; help to build local micro-economies

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Nov. 22, 2021)鈥Two leading international banks have teamed up with 黄色视频to create a new Financial Technology company that will use digital solutions to help deliver rising amounts of humanitarian assistance to hard-to-reach communities, ensuring it reaches those most in need.

Standard Chartered, Barclays, and the world鈥檚 largest independent child rights鈥 organization have set up the social enterprise Fintech for International Development (F4ID) which aims to deliver digital solutions that can empower vulnerable communities and also help to build local micro-economies.

The first product, launching in early 2022, is a digital platform for cash and voucher programs that will let families select the goods and services they need from a wide network of local merchants and providers while ensuring those vendors are supplied promptly and paid on time.

The platform will solve a number of problems associated with cash and voucher programming鈥攁 form of humanitarian assistance totalling US$6.3 billion globally in 2020 that 鈥攂y delivering an efficient, low-cost safe and trusted digital tool that gives communities flexibility and choice, supports the local economy, and reduces fraud and aid diversion risk.

Natasha Benson, Chief Executive Officer at F4ID, said the company would work with ambitious, tech-driven development organizations to create and deliver safe, secure, and sustainable assistance programs.

鈥淔4ID aims to tackle real world problems associated with the most marginalized global communities.聽 This differentiated and sustainable approach will allow us to be bold in our vision and ecosystem, to create a future with healthier communities and stronger local economies,鈥 said Benson.

The emergence of fintech for the humanitarian sector comes at a time of unprecedented need and is being driven by the convergence of several major technological advancements including widespread internet connectivity, cheap smartphones and other devices, cloud computing, mobile money platforms and biometric identification.

Data showed that in 2020, an estimated 243.8 million people living in 75 countries were assessed to be in need of humanitarian assistance. This is an additional 19 million people and 10 more countries compared with 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven countries had the equivalent of over half their populations in need.

Sam Sharpe, Chief Finance Officer at Save the Children, said:

鈥淔4ID will develop better and safer ways of getting vital support to some of the world鈥檚 most vulnerable children.聽This exciting partnership between Save the Children, Standard Chartered, and Barclays highlights the huge opportunities for humanitarian agencies to collaborate with private sector partners in tackling the challenges facing children today.鈥

Steve Harvey, Founder and Head of Concept Design, at F4ID, said:

鈥淭hrough innovation and technology, F4ID aims to alleviate hardship by helping grow self-sustaining micro economies and helping support social protection systems. F4ID does this is by bringing together humanitarian, technology, and finance sectors under one roof, to transform peoples鈥 lives for the long-term.鈥

Karby Leggett, Global Head, Public Sector Development Organisations at Standard Chartered, said:

鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud to partner with 黄色视频and Barclays on a venture that applies recent technology solutions to a long-standing challenge in developing markets. We鈥檙e on the ground in many of those countries and we see solutions like this having a potentially significant positive impact in those communities.鈥

Nicki Thomson, Managing Director, Public Sector, at Barclays, said:

鈥淭his is an exciting opportunity backed by investment from three global leaders in the field to build a digital ecosystem for the delivery of humanitarian aid.聽 This technology can materially improve the speed and efficiency of deployment of aid to ensure it is received by those most in need.鈥

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children 鈥 every day and in times of crisis 鈥 transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that 黄色视频is a charity you can trust. Follow us on , , and .