May 23, 2016, 12:00 (CEST)
- Ericsson commits at World Humanitarian Summit to developing Ericsson Emergency Wallet, a mobile financial services solution to support humanitarian organizations and populations affected by disasters or crises
- Solution will enable the distribution and use of digital aid in emergency situations
- Builds on Ericsson’s 15 year history of disaster and humanitarian relief in support of UN and humanitarian organizations, and the UN Connecting Business Initiative
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has committed to developing Ericsson Emergency Wallet, a mobile financial services solution, for deployment in the immediate aftermath of disaster or crises to support humanitarian organizations and affected populations.
The Ericsson Emergency Wallet solution will be designed for use in emergency situations where financial infrastructure is lacking. It will enable the distribution and use of digital funds by relief workers and impacted populations, which can help address issues such as safety, expense and traceability that are associated with handling cash.
Many of Ericsson’s humanitarian partners have requested digital financial services solutions for emergency situations. 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.”