A closer look at CARE’s Mission and Collaboration with Ripple to Make a global impact
In the latest installment of the Ripple Insights series, the spotlight is on Ripple Impact partner CARE. As one of the world’s leading humanitarian relief organizations, CARE is dedicated to saving lives, combating poverty, and promoting social justice in over 100 countries. Since 2020, CARE has been working closely with Ripple to drive positive change globally and locally.
CARE’s Vision and Impact:
Founded over 75 years ago, CARE’s vision stems from the invention of the iconic CARE Package. Inspired by the plight of World War II refugees, a group of individuals in the United States resolved to take action and ensure no one suffered from starvation. Today, CARE continues to embrace a visionary approach, tackling the challenges of our time. From the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters and growing hunger crises, CARE remains committed to providing emergency response and making long-term progress in fighting poverty.
Focusing on Women and Girls:
CARE recognizes that gender inequality is at the core of many global issues. To address poverty, hunger, and injustice, CARE works across multiple sectors while prioritizing gender equality. Their research highlights the disproportionate impact of hunger on women and girls, with 150 million more women experiencing hunger worldwide. Ripple has played a significant role in supporting CARE’s financial inclusion efforts, particularly in East Africa, where they facilitate savings groups for women. With over 17.6 million members in 64 countries, these Village Savings and Loan Associations aim to scale up and reach 62 million people by 2030.
Exploring Blockchain and Crypto for Humanitarian Aid:
CARE is committed to exploring innovative solutions to amplify the reach and impact of humanitarian assistance. Ripple was the first company to fund CARE’s exploration of blockchain and crypto programs in 2020. Through successful pilot programs in Kenya and Ecuador, CARE gained valuable insights into the potential benefits of blockchain in aid delivery and expanding financial services for women. While practical applications are still limited, CARE remains optimistic about the opportunities ahead. They have also explored crypto in fundraising, such as the inspiring NFT CARE Package for Afghanistan campaign, which raised nearly 60 ETH to provide critical aid to Afghan families.
Results of Crypto Pilot Programs:
CARE conducted pilot programs in Ecuador and Kenya, distributing crypto vouchers to survivors, women at risk of gender-based violence, and savings groups affected by COVID-19. In Kenya, CARE issued crypto vouchers worth $114,000 to 50 Savings Groups, benefiting a total of 1,217 members. These vouchers provided much-needed relief and empowering women to invest in income-generating activities. The success of these pilot programs showcased the potential of crypto vouchers as a secure alternative to traditional paper vouchers. Ripple’s support and collaboration with Binance Charity were instrumental in making these initiatives possible.
Relief Efforts Following Earthquakes:
CARE’s team, despite personal loss, swiftly responded to earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, providing emergency supplies to affected communities. Over 610,000 people received life-saving assistance, including essential goods and temporary shelter. These efforts demonstrate the breadth of CARE’s work and the resilience of the human spirit in times of crisis and hope.
CARE’s Focus in 2023:
Looking ahead, CARE remains dedicated to responding to emergencies worldwide while continuing its life-saving work in health, food and nutrition, education and work, climate, and equality. They emphasize neglected crises and strive to address the climate crisis through digital technology and financial inclusion initiatives. CARE aims to scale solutions and collaborate with partners like Ripple to empower millions of people and create a more just and equitable world.
Through their partnership, CARE and Ripple are at the forefront of advancing financial inclusion, fighting climate change,
