When Blockchain Becomes a Lifeline
The Problem With Physical Cash
Imagine being a case worker in rural Haiti, carrying a bag of cash through gang-controlled territory just to deliver monthly assistance to vulnerable women. This is not a hypothetical. It has been the reality for Fonkoze Foundation staff for years. Furthermore, for the women receiving that aid, the risks do not end there. The nearest bank branch can be several hours away by motorbike, digital payment apps charge fees that eat into already small amounts, and local agents have been known to extort users.
A Pilot That Changes the Rules
In response, Mercy Corps Ventures, together with Fonkoze Foundation and tech partner Paon Bleu, launched a bold pilot program in Northwest Haiti. The goal is straightforward: replace physical cash with USDC stablecoins, delivered through a digital wallet called Bousol, built on the Stellar blockchain. In total, 200 extremely vulnerable rural women are receiving $80,000 in digital transfers. Additionally, satellite WiFi has been installed across two municipalities so participants can transact without relying on costly mobile data.
Why Stellar, and Why It Matters
Stellar was chosen for good reason. The network handles transactions quickly, at very low cost, and with full on-chain traceability. Moreover, the use of USDC provides stability in a country where the Haitian Gourde has lost significant value. For women with no prior banking history, this wallet also creates a path into formal finance, giving them a savings record and eventual access to credit.
Results That Could Reshape Humanitarian Aid
This pilot runs alongside a control group of 200 women still receiving cash, making it possible to measure real outcomes. If results are positive, Haiti’s Cash Working Group, which includes 52 humanitarian organizations responsible for over $56 million in annual aid, has a clear path to scale. Furthermore, the lessons from one of the world’s most difficult operating environments will carry weight across fragile contexts globally.
The Stellar Ecosystem Is Open to Everyone
The Stellar network is proving its value where it matters most. For those looking to access that same infrastructure today, the Lumexo wallet offers a fast and easy way to trade, store, and manage assets within the Stellar ecosystem. You do not need to be an expert. The same network powering humanitarian aid in Haiti is the one powering Lumexo.
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