BiometricTechnology photos on Flickr

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, looks into the iris scan camera.

Photo: WFP/Mohammad Batah

Iris Scan Technology by ixc.admin

Jordan, Zaatari Refugee Camp (Al Mafraq), Mafraq Governorate, 5 October 2016

WFP INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE IRIS SCAN TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE TO SYRIAN REFUGEES IN ZAATARI CAMP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has introduced its innovative iris scan payment system in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp, allowing 76,000 Syrian refugees to purchase food from the camp’s supermarkets using a scan of their eye instead of cash, vouchers or e-cards.

The cutting-edge technology was first launched in Jordan’s King Abdullah Park refugee camp in February this year, when for the first time in the history of humanitarian assistance, a WFP beneficiary received food assistance in a blink of an eye. The system was expanded to Azraq refugee camp in eastern Jordan in April.

“The iris scan payment system has been extremely successful, and we are thrilled that WFP and its partners are now able to serve Syrian refugees living in Jordan’s largest camp through this innovative system,” said WFP Country Director in Jordan, Mageed Yahia. “Iris scan technology has reshaped the shopping experience for Syrian refugees in Jordan, making it easier and more secure for them, while also enhancing accountability.”

WFP’s system relies on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) biometric registration data of refugees. The system is powered by IrisGuard, the company that developed the iris scan platform, Jordan Ahli Bank and its counterpart Middle East Payment Services (MEPS).

Once the shopper has their iris scanned, the system automatically communicates with UNHCR’s registration database to confirm the identity of the refugee, checks the account balance with Jordan Ahli Bank and Middle East Payment Services and then confirms the purchase and prints out a receipt all within seconds.

The introduction of the iris scan payment system in Jordan’s Syrian refugee camps represents WFP’s commitment to employing innovative new tools and approaches in the fight against hunger. WFP is now seeking to expand the use of the technology to refugees living in communities outside of camps.

Through its iris scan and electronic voucher programme, WFP is supporting more than half a million Syrian refugees in Jordan. WFP is also providing assistance to almost 140,000 vulnerable Jordanians through food rations and cash for work and cash for training programmes.

In the Photo: Hana Heraaki pays for groceries using a scan of his iris at the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan.

For Zaatari resident Hana Heraaki, the true value of this system lies in its convenience. “Now I don’t have to worry if I forgot my card at home or if I misplaced it. Whenever I’m near the shop, I can just walk in and get whatever food that’s missing from home,” she said.

Photo: WFP/Shaza Moghraby