Page 52 - Pay Magazine s2014

pay awards
chAnge Agent of the yeAr
The payments technology company that contributed most to the advancement or evolution of the industry in the past 12 months.
MasterCard Aid Network
MasterCard International
what it is: Technology solution that streamlines humanitarian aid distribution and helps organi- zations respond quickly when disaster strikes or assistance is required to reach those in need. Cards can be loaded and used to provide basic needs such as food, shelter and health care in various locations or situations.
why it works: The MasterCard Aid Network:
• Allows bene ciaries to choose the
speci c goods they need, providing
dignity and empowerment.
• Operates in a diverse range of environ-
ments, including remote, inaccessible locations—merchants need power but do not require connectivity to conduct transactions.
• Can be implemented quickly.
• Reduces operational costs and leakage
compared with paper vouchers and
in-kind distributions.
• Increases transparency. NGO sta can
see the actual items bene ciaries purchase and quickly review merchant reports, eliminating fraud concerns.
why it matters: There are now more refugees internationally than during both World War I and II combined. Organizations need new tools to meet the rising demand.
results: The network has been tested and proven in real-life situations—with Save the Children in Yemen, where approximately 41 percent of the population are unable to meet their basic food needs as a result of civil unrest and war, and in the Philippines with
CardFree Cash
Fiserv
Single Global Processor Solution
Global Processing Services
Taps existing technology to help humanitarian aid organizations deliver aid immediately when needed, even when telecommunications and payments systems are down, provided there is power.
World Vision to help micro-entrepreneurs rebuild businesses after Typhoon Haiyan.
what the judges said: The future of our industry depends upon reaching new seg- ments, particularly those that have been excluded from nancial services. The Master- Card Aid Network uses technology to simplify humanitarian aid delivery while making a real di erence in people’s lives and showing them the power of electronic payments.
50
wInners
payments technology