Can E-transfers Promote Financial Inclusion in Emergencies: A Case Study from Bangladesh
This case study explores two humanitarian assistance projects implemented by Action Contre La Faim (ACF) in two districts in Bangladesh during 2015 and 2016. The programs provided humanitarian cash assistance to communities affected by severe flooding, with one focused on risk mitigation and the other on emergency relief. In each program, cash was transferred electronically via mobile wallets. ACF chose the e-transfer mechanism to reduce cash handling risks, improve transparency, and reduce leakage. They also wanted to provide flexibility to recipients to withdraw the cash from their mobile wallet (cash-out) where and when needed. E-transfers were used only to improve the process.
The research included household surveys with 50 recipients (84% women); focus group discussions with 32 recipients (50% women); and key informant interviews with ACF staff, service providers, NGO partners (local and international), and other stakeholders. The case study was conducted over a brief timeframe with the goal of taking a ‘snapshot’ to understand any continued mobile money usage among cash transfer recipients. This case study relied heavily on qualitative research to examine uptake and usage of mobile money among cash transfer recipients and to identify critical barriers and enabling factors affecting uptake and usage.
The research focused on three key questions:
- To what extent do e-transfer programs influence the use of mobile money among cash transfer recipients?
- What are the key barriers and enabling factors that influence recipients’ uptake and use of mobile money services?
- What measures can and should be implemented in humanitarian e-transfer programs to overcome the barriers to uptake and use?
