#USA #Blockchain #Berlin #Humanitarian Aid #Algorand

Algorand Foundation Expands Humanitarian Aid Payments Council

The Algorand Foundation has recently held a pivotal meeting of its Humanitarian Aid Payments Council in Berlin, which brought together key figures from the humanitarian and finance sectors, alongside experts in blockchain technology. This strategic assembly focused on the integration of effective blockchain solutions into humanitarian aid distribution channels. Six new members have joined the council, namely UNHCR, Mastercard, Paycode, Coala Pay, Meld, and Rahat.

The Humanitarian Aid Payments Council is composed of a diverse set of members including UNHCR, Circle, Mastercard, Worldpay, HesabPay, and several others, all committed to advancing the use of blockchain technology in humanitarian contexts. During this meeting, the members addressed the pressing need to move from pilot programs to comprehensive implementations that can significantly enhance the impact of humanitarian assistance.

Central to the discussions was the consensus on the necessity of involving all relevant stakeholders throughout the aid value chain. From donors and policymakers to the implementers on the ground, there is a clear call for education on blockchain technology and its application across various facets of humanitarian aid.

The Algorand Foundation took the opportunity to introduce the Aid Trust Portal, a cutting-edge online platform designed to track and visualize humanitarian aid payments. This initiative received positive feedback from council members, prompting debates on how enhancing transparency in aid payments can rebuild trust among beneficiaries and contributors.

Notably, the council is already witnessing the tangible benefits of blockchain-enabled payments. A case in point is HesabPay, which has successfully deployed a digital wallet on the Algorand blockchain specifically in Afghanistan and Northeast Syria. In collaboration with multiple UN agencies, HesabPay has facilitated direct and secure aid transfers to tens of thousands of families, showcasing the practical applications of this technology in crisis situations.

Matt Keller, Director of Impact at Algorand Foundation, emphasized the organization's commitment to harnessing blockchain technology. He remarked, “Our goal is to provide transparency and traceability that donors and aid implementers need, all while affording beneficiaries the dignity of direct, secure digital payments.” The foundation aims to replicate these successful models in new regions, including areas in Syria where the need for effective aid transfer mechanisms is critical.

The vision set forth by the council is clear: to make humanitarian aid more transparent, secure, and efficient. Blockchain technology offers a promising pathway to achieve low-cost, rapid, and secure payments, thereby optimizing the delivery of aid to those in need across the globe.

As the council continues its work, their objective remains firm—to expand the use of blockchain in humanitarian efforts and revolutionize the landscape of cash assistance in challenging environments.

To delve deeper into the initiatives of the Humanitarian Aid Payments Council and the Algorand Foundation's mission, interested parties can visit the official site.

About Algorand

Founded in 2019, Algorand is on a mission to empower a world where information is trustworthy and innovative concepts can flourish. The Algorand (ALGO) blockchain has blossomed into a robust ecosystem, catering to developers, entrepreneurs, and corporate partners alike. Its features such as low transaction fees, quick confirmation times, and a minimal environmental impact, make it highly appealing to a vast array of users. The Algorand platform also enables the utilization of common programming languages, enabling a wide range of applications from credentialing to secure payments in crisis situations. Builders utilizing Algorand are addressing crucial global challenges through developments in supply chain transparency, disaster response, and the creation of new market opportunities. For more information on this groundbreaking platform, visit algorand.co.