Developing secure identification products for the unbanked, including the 60 million refugees and IDPs around the world

Many of the most needy refugees and IDPs are escaping from violent areas of conflict, often where the carrying of passports or ID papers could be extremely risky. This means they can arrive at camps with little way of identifying themselves; and given the fact that the camps are often limited to supporting particular refugees from one or more countries, those escaping from other countries will attempt to mislead the authorities as to their true origin.

Organizations such as the UNHCR have to make difficult decisions as to the applicants and whether they can remain in the camps. These decisions are always difficult; just because someone is an economic migrant, does that mean they are less needy?

What is an important additional factor is how to maker that choice only once; it should not be down to a lottery at each camp or government facility as to whether one person gets through the test.

The development of biometric identification solutions has brought about ways in which we can have a secure, non-paper ID that can be read by appropriate authorities as to the status of the immigrant. In particular, the iris recognition system used by UNHCR in Jordan is capable of being extended onto many other countries, both as an overall ID but also as a way to secure payments.

Paying benefits, as well as remittances, can either be done via cards or, as generally preferred by the most needy, through iris-recognition at ATMs and POS devices at supermarkets. RTpay works with the best service providers to help develop this system in as many places as possible.

RTpay does not hold any client funds or act in the transaction flow at any stage. It solely assists clients on the optimal management of their own funds. It may introduce suitable financial service providers as part of its advice.

Please contact RTpay at info@rtpay.org to arrange to speak to one of our professional consultants.