With mobile banking taking off in the developing world, the stage is now set for international aid to be delivered direct to the needy communities through their handsets. This completely eliminates the need for middlemen. And, cash is always better than kind be it in the form of food, clothing or medicines.
Kiwa founded by Ken Banks, a graduate from Sussex University recently developed FrontlineSMS, a mobile application that’s meant to empower grassroots non-profit organizations. Banks work straddles anthropology, conservation and development.
Sometime ago, Kiva ran a $3 million pilot for U.K.’s Department for International Development (DFID) with Concern Worldwide that sent cash payments to tens of thousands of hungry people in northern Malawi.
To implement the project, villagers in the plan were first fingerprinted, and their details held on a smart card that they could present at the payout counters.
Now can there be a more precise targeting then that?