Ripple Launches Blockchain-Based Aid in Kenya, Distributes $75 in RLUSD to 533 Pastoralists

Ripple has launched its blockchain-based stablecoin, RLUSD, in Kenya to offer immediate assistance to pastoralists grappling with drought conditions. This endeavor is a joint effort between Ripple, Mercy Corps Ventures, and DIVA Donate, focusing on utilizing satellite data and smart contracts to automate the distribution of aid. The system employs the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to track vegetation health, which acts as a gauge for environmental conditions impacting livestock. Upon detecting drought, the system automatically dispenses RLUSD to affected pastoralists, ensuring financial aid is provided before the crisis escalates. Each participant in the pilot project will receive around $75 in RLUSD, which can be used to buy food and water for their livestock over a six-month period. The pilot project is designed to support 533 pastoralists in the arid and semi-arid regions of Laikipia County, Kenya. This initiative marks a notable advancement in the application of blockchain and stablecoins for humanitarian aid and financial inclusion, addressing longstanding issues such as delays, inefficiencies, and inaccessibility in traditional aid distribution. The transparency of blockchain ensures that all transactions are publicly visible and verifiable, while the programmability of smart contracts guarantees that funds are released only when specific conditions are met, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Ripple's efforts in this domain could set a precedent for future humanitarian uses of blockchain technology, potentially transforming the way aid is delivered to make it faster, smarter, and more transparent.