ACTED Libya is innovating its unconditional multipurpose cash assistance programme with the introduction of prepaid debit cards which can be used to purchase essential items at over 900 points of sale across Libya. With the e-card programme, beneficiaries now have immediate access to cash in a country where bank facilities are limited.
In November 2018, ACTED commenced its first round of e-card distributions in Libya with support from the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR). As a new and improved mechanism of ACTED’s multi-purpose cash assistance, e-cards enhance service delivery to vulnerable households.
ACTED Libya’s multi-purpose cash programme has been expanded to include the distribution of e-cards provided by financial service provider ATIB an alternative to the traditional bank transfer method used since 2014. With e-cards, beneficiaries can avoid long bank queues and access their cash assistance quicker, making it easier to meet basic needs.
Empowering households through direct access to cash
ACTED’s cash programme aims to reduce the vulnerability of almost 1,200 families by supporting their ability to purchase essential items. Between November and December, beneficiary households will have received three instalments of 370 LYD (approx. 230 Euros), a total of 1110 LYD per household. These cash instalments provide beneficiaries with direct access to their cash instalments, empowering households to improve their living conditions by covering their most urgent needs. E-cards can be utilised in several points of sales which cover a wide range of basic needs such as fresh foods, supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals.
Local partners have facilitated e-card distributions in Tripoli, Benghazi and Sabha. ACTED acknowledges and appreciates the support from:
- Abu slim, Hai Alandalus, Tajoura and Souq Al Khamis municipalities, and the Social Affairs Office of Janzour in Tripoli
- Libaid and the Social Affairs in Benghazi
- Libaid in Sebha
While communities in Tripoli and Benghazi have embraced e-card technology, 105 households in Sebha have opted to continue receiving their assistance through bank transfers. This modality is preferred over e-cards due to the lack of e-payment service availability in the South, although the network is currently expanding.
ACTED 2018
E-card distribution in Tripoli with the help of the municipalities
ACTED 2018
E-card distribution in Benghazi with the help of Libaid and MoSA