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The Foundation for Development Cooperation is an independent, not-for-profit international development organisation. Through alliances and partnerships, FDC undertakes a range of initiatives which seek to improve the lives of poor people in developing countries.
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FDC Nai Sema
The Foundation for Development Cooperation is proud to present the occasional paper series: FDC Nai Sema. Nai Sema means “to connect” in the Fijian language. Through this occasional paper series, FDC aims to promote an exchange of ideas amongst those working in international development and cooperation and to generate discussion on the topics presented within.
- Mobile Financial Services: Extending the Reach of Financial Services Through Mobile Payment Systems.
As part of FDC’s work with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Business Advisory Council on Financial Sector Capacity Building, it became clear that there was limited summary information about the actual status of various mobile financial service initiatives around the world. Accordingly, FDC moved to compile an overview of the current literature on mobile financial services, with the intention of evaluating how effective mobile phones may be in providing financial services to the unbanked population in developing countries. This document highlights what the mobile financial services industry entails, including the benefits and challenges facing the industry, while also providing case studies to evaluate its effectiveness.
Whilst the overall situation on the ground in Haiti is still highly distressing, and with the final casualty figure somewhat unclear, it is certain that over the months ahead a clear pattern of
initiatives will take place. Following an initial Ministers Conference held in Montreal on 25 January 2010, there will now be a more comprehensive International Donors Conference in New York in March, once detailed preliminary damage and need assessments have taken place. The emergency response stage of the disaster is now well under way, and this is currently focussing in on the provision of food, emergency shelter, and a range of needed medical services, for tens of thousands of affected people. It has already comprised search and rescue, and the burying the dead; the clearing of logistical routes to deliver relief supplies; and a growing degree of humanitarian management, coordination and information sharing.