Advertisment

Ericsson plans an emergency wallet for use in disaster areas

author-image
Soma Tah
New Update
ID

BANGALORE, INDIA: To enable the distribution and use of digital funds by relief workers and affected populations during disaster or crises, Ericsson has committed to develop Ericsson Emergency Wallet.

Advertisment

Ericsson presented its intentions at the World Humanitarian Summit, in support of the United Nations' Connecting Business Initiative.

The mobile financial services solution will be designed for use in emergency situations where financial infrastructure is lacking. It will address issues such as safety, expense and traceability that are associated with handling cash.

The solution design and prototyping is co-funded via the Level One Project from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Advertisment

There is an urgent need for an Emergency Wallet solution, as mobile financial services, including mobile money and mobile wallets, are among the quickest, safest, and most efficient ways of extending the benefits of basic financial transactions to people who need them.

David Miliband, President and CEO, International Rescue Committee (IRC) says, "Digital payment mechanisms are essential to delivering effective cash transfers to address the large scale humanitarian needs caused by today's crises. However, only 30% of countries facing severe humanitarian emergencies have digital payments infrastructure to support scaled-up response. The IRC welcomes efforts such as the Ericsson Emergency Wallet solution to close this gap."

Peter Heuman, Head of  M-Commerce at Ericsson says: "Ericsson Emergency Wallet builds on our expertise in deploying mobile financial services in emerging markets. The solution enables a method of money transfer that is mobile which allows for a quicker, safer and more cost-effective way for the humanitarian organizations to distribute digital aid in disaster areas."

ericsson mobile-wallet