
Tech and Diaspora: Global Innovations in Humanitarian Action - AidEx 2025
As the global funding landscape shrinks, the humanitarian sector must evolve or risk falling behind. Diaspora-led initiatives — often mobilizing resources that rival or surpass formal aid flows — are pioneering innovative financing models that scale what local communities are already doing. By combining trusted community ties with cutting-edge technologies, these efforts are reshaping how humanitarian response is financed and delivered. This session will explore how diaspora and tech actors worldwide can be leveraged to strengthen community-driven responses and drive systemic change.
Main objectives:
- Highlight blockchain-based payments and other tech for diaspora-led humanitarian action.
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Show how blockchain, digital payments, and crowdfunding improve transparency, accountability, and reach.
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Explore opportunities for collaboration between diaspora actors, humanitarian agencies, and private sector innovators to scale impactful solutions.
Speaker Details
- Burcu Mavis, Blockchain Academy and Accelerator Lead, UNDP AltFinLab (Moderator & Facilitator)
- Nasrat Khalid, Founder & CEO, Aseel Technology Corporation
- Nigel Pont, Senior Humanitarian Advisor, HesabPay
- Jean-Marc Seigneur, Director, Advanced Studies on Blockchain, DLT and dApps Development, University of Geneva
- Carmen Hett, Corporate Treasurer, UNHCR
This session is organized by UNDP AltFinLab and DEMAC – Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination, part of the Danish Refugee Council.