This is a report of a study conducted under the auspices of the Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP) with the aim of learning lessons from the innovation of using a smartcard to disburse cash in an emergence situation in the northern part of Dowa District in Malawi. The project was called the Dowa Emergency Cash Transfer (DECT) and it was implemented by Concern Worldwide Malawi through a developmental bank called Opportunity International Bank of Malawi (OIBM).

Using participatory research methods, the study established that there was widespread acceptance of the technology although it was not fully developed and utilized. Coupled with an innovative community targeting approach, the technology delivered the cash transfer to the satisfaction of most beneficiaries and this increased the positive impacts of the project.

Although it had been operational for only three months by the end of the field research, the DECT appeared to be making some positive social impacts in very important areas of life. These are empowering women, improving food security, increasing access to health care services, increasing school attendance, and raising self-esteem among the beneficiaries who were generally the poorest people in the study villages.