MasterCard and UN Launch Digital Food

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has launched its Digital Food project, using MasterCard technology to provide mobile food vouchers in developing countries, including Kenya, the Philippines and Pakistan.

Through the project, people hit by last year's typhoon in Manila will receive text messages containing cash sums that they can redeem at 18,000 store across the city. Around 80 per cent of people in the Philippines have access to a mobile phone, where a basic model can cost as little as the equivalent $10, and the country has near-universal coverage.

MasterCard will also help WFP to improve its donation process to give a wider variety of payment methods. The 'Integrated Giving' platform will allow mobile app developers to help their users support WFP via in-app purchases.

“Our partnership with MasterCard is a great example of how transformative private sector partnerships innovate against hunger,” said Nancy Roman, WFP director of communications, public policy and private partnerships. “By drawing on MasterCard’s technical know-how and international reach, WFP will further develop its electronic voucher programme that enables hungry families around the globe to buy nutritional food on local markets.”

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