During Lebanon’s severe financial crisis, there was an urgent need for an effective and transparent system to manage cash-based social ​protection programs. The government required a platform that could rapidly respond to emerging needs while ensuring that aid reached ​vulnerable populations in a fair and accountable manner. This challenge was compounded by the need to integrate various stakeholders and ​manage vast amounts of sensitive data.

The Government of Lebanon developed DAEM, a state-of-the-art digital ​platform designed to streamline the social protection delivery chain. Key ​aspects of DAEM’s approach include:

• End-to-end automation: DAEM digitises the entire process, from ​applicant registration and eligibility determination to cash distribution ​and payment tracking.

• Comprehensive data management: The platform automates ​deduplication, validation, and needs assessment through a ​combination of form submissions, field visits, and proxy means testing.
  

• Real-time monitoring: DAEM integrates multiple stakeholders, ​including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based ​Organisations (CBOs), and call centres, to ensure transparent and ​effective aid distribution.
  

• Fraud prevention: The platform includes unique identification codes ​for tracking, automated processes to minimise human interference, ​and strict data access controls.
  

• GDPR compliance: All data is handled according to stringent security ​and privacy standards, with oversight from independent agencies to ​ensure integrity and address grievances.
  

Rapid registration and payments:

Within two months, DAEM registered over 582,000 households. To date it has processed more than 93,590 payments, ​disbursing $210 million as of August 2024

Transparency and accountability:

The platform’s automated processes and oversight measures effectively reduced corruption and ensured accurate aid ​distribution.

Cross-program functionality:

DAEM supports integration with legacy databases and multiple protection programs, allowing for targeted assistance and ​improved coordination.

Sector integration:

DAEM’s registration forms include education-related data, enabling targeted support for vulnerable students and potential ​expansion into other social sectors.

Future expansion:

The platform is capable of integration with the National Poverty Targeting Program and humanitarian cash-for-work initiatives.