How Fintech Is Powering Humanitarian Response: Inside the Work of the Disasters Emergency Committee

In the face of major global disasters, one organization plays a crucial role in mobilizing funds quickly and effectively: the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). Siân Stephen from DEC Cymru, Wales, explains how fintech is transforming the way they raise and deliver life-saving aid.

“The DEC was set up over 60 years ago to provide a trusted place where people could give in response to large-scale disasters.”

The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and the British Red Cross, to respond to humanitarian crises. The goal: to save, protect, and rebuild lives through rapid and coordinated action.

Technology’s Role in Modern Humanitarian Response

Fundraising has evolved dramatically since the DEC’s early days.

“It used to be all about BBC public service broadcasts and call centres full of celebrities taking donations over the phone,” Siân recalls. “Now, technology plays a central role in making it easier for people to give.”

The DEC’s Rapid Response Network—a group of key media, banking, and retail partners—helps the organization launch major appeals at incredibly short notice. Fintech partnerships have been at the forefront of making donations faster, safer, and more accessible.

The Power of Fintech Partnerships

A standout example is the DEC’s collaboration with the NatWest Group, which developed an in-app donation banner back in 2020.

“It allows charitable donations to be made directly within the customer’s banking app,” explains Siân. “They’ve supported 60 appeals so far, raising £7.8 million through this one feature alone.”

PayPal is another key partner. By spotlighting DEC appeals at checkout and via email campaigns, PayPal has helped raise over £11 million for disaster relief efforts.

Cash Aid: A Fintech Game Changer

One of the most significant shifts in humanitarian aid is the move from providing physical goods to cash or vouchers, a transition that fintech has made possible.

“Worldwide, cash now accounts for 21% of all humanitarian assistance, reaching a value of $10 billion in 2022,” Siân shares. “And that number is only expected to grow.”

Cash provides people with a flexible and dignified way of meeting their most urgent needs, which will naturally change over time. It’s an adaptable and cost-effective means of providing support that also helps local markets recover.

A clear example is the DEC’s work in Romania during the Ukraine crisis, where the Red Cross developed an app enabling refugees to self-register for cash assistance while on the move. In conflict zones like Gaza, digital cash transfers have proven essential when traditional aid delivery is extremely challenging.

Preparing for the Future

As disasters become more frequent and complex, the DEC recognizes that innovation must continue.

“We need to evolve the way we fundraise and work closely with sectors like fintech to ensure we’re ready for what’s coming,” says Siân. “This work matters—people’s lives depend on it.”

The DEC’s forward-thinking approach shows how fintech is not just modernizing donations but reshaping the entire landscape of humanitarian aid.

For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, visit dec.org.uk or contact [email protected].