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Iris Scan Technology
Jordan, Amman, King Abdullah Park refugee camp, February 2016
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Jordan launched an innovative iris scan payment system, allowing Syrian refugees living in camps to purchase food items from local shops using the scan of their eye instead of cash, vouchers or credit cards.
The user simply looks into a lens that scans their iris and deducts the value of their purchase from their credit. WFP’s innovative system relies on the UN Refugee Agency’s biometric registration data of refugees and works with WFP’s Jordanian partners; IrisGuard, the company that developed the iris scan platform, Jordan Ahli Bank and their counterpart Middle East Payment Systems (MEPS). Once the shopper has their iris scanned, the system automatically communicates with UNHCR’s registration database to confirm the identity of the refugee, before automatically continuing to the Jordan Ahli Bank through the Middle East Payment System financial gateway to determine the refugee’s remaining balance. It then confirms the purchase and prints a receipt for the refugee.
WFP is looking to expand the use of its new iris scan payment system for refugees living in all Syrian refugee camps in Jordan during the coming months. Depending on the success of the system in the camps, WFP may also expand the use of this technology in areas outside of the camps.
In the photo: Hamda, a Syrian refugee from Daraa, buying some items.
Photo: WFP/Mohammad Batah
Iris Scan Technology
Jordan, Amman, King Abdullah Park refugee camp, February 2016
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Jordan launched an innovative iris scan payment system, allowing Syrian refugees living in camps to purchase food items from local shops using the scan of their eye instead of cash, vouchers or credit cards.
The user simply looks into a lens that scans their iris and deducts the value of their purchase from their credit. WFP’s innovative system relies on the UN Refugee Agency’s biometric registration data of refugees and works with WFP’s Jordanian partners; IrisGuard, the company that developed the iris scan platform, Jordan Ahli Bank and their counterpart Middle East Payment Systems (MEPS). Once the shopper has their iris scanned, the system automatically communicates with UNHCR’s registration database to confirm the identity of the refugee, before automatically continuing to the Jordan Ahli Bank through the Middle East Payment System financial gateway to determine the refugee’s remaining balance. It then confirms the purchase and prints a receipt for the refugee.
WFP is looking to expand the use of its new iris scan payment system for refugees living in all Syrian refugee camps in Jordan during the coming months. Depending on the success of the system in the camps, WFP may also expand the use of this technology in areas outside of the camps.
In the photo: Hamda, a Syrian refugee from Daraa, buying some items.
Photo: WFP/Mohammad Batah