Lebanon’s 2019 crisis plunged many into poverty. In 2021, the World Bank launched a $246M social safety net, and the Government of Lebanon, with Siren Associates, developed DAEM—a digital platform for social assistance. In this episode, we hear from key players about how collaboration made DAEM a success and how, even in crisis, solutions can go beyond relief to build a more inclusive financial system.

Youssef Fawaz of the Lebanese MFI Al Majmoua, shares the difficult reality of trying to keep an established institution running while the economy collapses around it.

MicroBuild will provide significant debt relief to Al Majmoua to help alleviate financial pressures and support the MFI’s ongoing efforts to fulfill its social objectives.

In the first phase, Purpl will only operate their cash out solution, as a technology provider, via the partnerships signed with international digital remittance companies and licensed local cash out partners on the ground in Lebanon.

Findings based on quantitative and qualitative research conducted over the phone (questionnaires and in-depth interviews)

Highlighting key challenges in linking cash transfers to financial inclusion

Over 164 million migrant workers make a living in a foreign country, and almost 26 million refugees have been forced to flee due to conflict. Unfortunately, while migrant workers are on the move, their data is not, often preventing them from accessing financial services or better jobs. Developing a digital identity system is one potential solution to this problem.

The case study of Al Majmoua in Lebanon