UNHCR and the UN's technology provider UNICC are piloting Stellar Aid Assist, a blockchain-based cash disbursement solution using the Stellar network and USDC stablecoin to deliver humanitarian aid directly to displaced persons in Ukraine. The program enables instant bulk transfers, eliminates banking requirements, and provides full transaction traceability.
UNHCR, in collaboration with UNICC, has launched Stellar Aid Assist to address the challenge of delivering humanitarian aid to over 100 million displaced people worldwide. The solution leverages the Stellar Disbursement Platform (SDP) to distribute USDC stablecoin directly to recipients' phones via the Vesseo wallet, with cash-out available at MoneyGram locations across ~150 countries. Key features include instant bulk disbursements, no banking requirement for recipients, and transparent blockchain-based traceability for aid organizations. The program is currently being piloted in Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia) to assist war-affected populations with basic needs including rent, food, medical care, and heating. Partners include the Stellar Development Foundation, Circle, MoneyGram International, and Vesseo. The initiative demonstrates Stellar's potential to expand financial inclusion and cash assistance programs globally.
