Case study
Enabling the targeted and transparent delivery of cash aid
Mapping more than 583K financially vulnerable households, and channeling more than $175M in cash aid to 100k qualifying households.
6 Dec 2024
Challenge
During Lebanon’s severe financial crisis, there was an urgent need for an effective and transparent system to manage cash-based social protection programs. The government required a platform that could rapidly respond to emerging needs while ensuring that aid reached vulnerable populations in a fair and accountable manner. This challenge was compounded by the need to integrate various stakeholders and manage vast amounts of sensitive data.
Approach
The Government of Lebanon developed DAEM, a state-of-the-art digital platform designed to streamline the social protection delivery chain. Key aspects of DAEM’s approach include:
End-to-end automation: DAEM digitises the entire process, from applicant registration and eligibility determination to cash distribution and payment tracking.
Comprehensive data management: The platform automates deduplication, validation, and needs assessment through a combination of form submissions, field visits, and proxy means testing.
Real-time monitoring: DAEM integrates multiple stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and call centres, to ensure transparent and effective aid distribution.
Fraud prevention: The platform includes unique identification codes for tracking, automated processes to minimise human interference, and strict data access controls.
GDPR compliance: All data is handled according to stringent security and privacy standards, with oversight from independent agencies to ensure integrity and address grievances.
Outcomes
Rapid registration and payments: Within two months, DAEM registered over 582,000 households. To date it has processed more than 93,590 payments, disbursing $210 million as of August 2024
Transparency and accountability: The platform’s automated processes and oversight measures effectively reduced corruption and ensured accurate aid distribution.
Cross-program functionality: DAEM supports integration with legacy databases and multiple protection programs, allowing for targeted assistance and improved coordination.
Sector integration: DAEM’s registration forms include education-related data, enabling targeted support for vulnerable students and potential expansion into other social sectors.
Future expansion: The platform is capable of integration with the National Poverty Targeting Program and humanitarian cash-for-work initiatives.