Mobile payments could prove beneficial in natural disasters

When natural disasters, such as Typhoon Haiyan or Hurricane Katrina hit, millions of people are often in need of financial assistance. However, it can be difficult to get money to these people due to conditions.

One potential solution to this problem is mobile payments. By sending money through a smartphone or specific application, people in trouble could secure funds to purchase food, water, clothing and shelter, which could mean the difference between life and death, according to Mobile Payments Today.

Not only can these devices help people secure donations, but smartphones can also make it easier for people to send money. By using a simple SMS short-code, people can send donations through a network that can be picked up at an ATM. People may be more inclined to donate if it is as easy as clicking a few buttons on their smartphones.

More than 660,000 people were displaced by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, according to CBS News. And, the ability for these citizens to obtain relief through a mobile payments system could be a major help.