DARTs

In 2023, WFP distributed a historic US$2.9 billion in cash assistance across 76 countries. However, challenges persist in ensuring all recipients receive funds. Such obstacles include limited digital infrastructure, low data literacy, and the diversity of systems and data used by partners. In many programs, when a person does not receive their assistance, they contact field staff who then manually search through Excel files or even paper records to identify the issue, often leading to delays and increasing the risk of the person losing their assistance.

DARTs (Data Assurance and Reconciliation Tool Simplified) is a web application that standardizes and automates complex data analysis and transformations, making it easy to verify that a person received the right assistance. Darts enables WFP to implement controls on large cash transfer data by easily analysing transactions, which is vital to guarantee WFP’s accountability to its donors, increase programme efficiency and build trust across WFP operations.

In 2024, DARTs assured that US$2.49 million was transferred to 1.2 million individuals in need of assistance accurately and efficiently. DARTs saved 3,000 hours in the reconciliation process, enabling WFP staff to allocate their time to other critical activities.

The solution is in the process of being developed into a global corporate tool, intending to be implemented in approximately 50 percent of our global cash-based transfers operations, spanning around 40 countries.