Support to Life Association (Hayata Destek Derneği)
The proposed digital transformation project will operationalize a mobile-enabled cash-assistance distribution mechanism to address the basic needs of disaster-affected communities.
Year founded
2005
Location
Istanbul, Turkey
Sector
Emergency Response, Livelihood, Protection, Education, Seasonal Agricultural
Stage
Idea Stage
Members
Asli Silahdaroglu
MEAL Manager
Cenk Sönmez
Information Management Officer
Elif Karausta
IT Officer
Fatih Kıyman
Project Development Manager
The challenge
Distribution of in-kind assistance (food, consumables, etc.) in post-disaster settings comes with a set of challenges. In-kind assistance is a form of aid that is logistically challenging, requires a careful and rapid assessment of needs, and does not allow the beneficiaries to prioritize and choose based on their household’s immediate needs. Support to Life has responded to two post-disaster situations in 2020: Elazig and Izmir Earthquakes. In both cases, stockpiles overflowed with goods shipped in by corporations and citizens, which were partially relevant for the ground’s needs. This affects both local communities and businesses. While communities hardly receive in-kind assistance that is rightly matched their needs, businesses lose income due to the steady inflow of goods that could be provided to the right community.
The solution
Our solution is to create an e-cash payment system that does not:
- impose restrictive compliance measures on local shops/businesses
- require ‘tech-savvy’ shops/community members
- require internet connectivity.
It is an e-cash payment system that enables:
- cash-delivery in the immediate aftermath of the disaster
- affected communities to be prioritized based on their needs
- support for the local economy.
