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Crisis is a harsh teacher. It can bring us together in our shared fragility, but paradoxically it can also distance us from our shared humanity. In times of great crisis, the institutions and structures of society that are supposed to protect and support us can become twisted, corrupt, or impotent—and sometimes, the very things that make us human can play a role in stripping us of our collective humanity.
In Syria, my political activity became a reason for my being deprived of the most basic form of identity. I was arrested and tortured as a means of political repression. My academic pursuits were forcibly stopped, and any evidence of my existence was stripped away. I, along with millions of others like me, had to escape this reality; Smuggling myself across the border in search of refuge in another country – where I had to start from scratch: submit applications to offices for new identity documents, apply for a bank account, place of residence, and all the other bits of paperwork one needs to have in order to… Recognition as a human being in modern society.
Crisis as a catalyst for unprecedented change
Over more than a decade working in the international aid and development sector, I have encountered some troubling questions: Are our traditional systems really equipped to respond to large-scale humanitarian crises? Are the powerful and wealthy institutions committed to protecting the world’s most vulnerable people really doing all they can? Can we do better? how?
Through my fellowship at the Ethereum Foundation, I conducted research and saw for myself that public blockchain protocols like Ethereum are more than just an elegant innovation – for people caught in humanitarian crises – from Syria to Myanmar, Lebanon and beyond – where conflicts and crises erode, and as trust in the underlying technologies erodes, where… Authoritarian regimes and centralized power structures have shaken collective trust in institutions. Emerging technologies can be a lifeline in times of unimaginable human suffering, and represent a glimpse of a future model of crisis response unconstrained by borders and institutions. Disruption.
When every diversion costs lives and trust
Imagine the sheer amount of wealth of US$31.3 billion. This is the total amount of international humanitarian aid allocated in 2021. Of this staggering amount, Only 1.2% is sent to local NGOs in the form of direct aid. The rest moves through a series of subcontractors, global funds, and multilateral institutions that spend huge sums on operational costs. Millions of dollars that were supposed to provide food or medical supplies to those in need end up being allocated to things like pristine white Toyota Land Cruisers, business-class flights to Geneva, or expensive office space in the nearest stable center of the city. Millions more are lost due to corruption, waste and mismanagement. This imbalance reveals a harsh truth: resources intended to serve as a lifeline to those in pain are often diminished by the very structures created to help them.
Chart 1: General framework of foreign aid
As someone who spent years managing millions in donor funding to Syria, I see this development framework as not just a flawed system – it is a betrayal of trust and waste of resources on a colossal scale. It’s a system that turns every dollar into a tiny amount by the time it reaches those who need it most.
The realities of international aid are well known, including and especially organizations that work directly with people in crisis. Unfortunately, these organizations often see no alternative. My research for the Next Billion Fellowship aimed to uncover the attitudes and beliefs of civil society organizations and NGOs working in Syria and Iraq towards blockchain technology – to see if the imagined technology might open new paths to support. These are organizations that operate in extreme contexts; Surrounded by death, neglect and a hostile dictatorship. They operate within distributed networks of grassroots volunteers, organizing themselves to do their work amid airstrikes, sanctions, and all sorts of existential risks. One might think that there is a natural fit for humanitarian organizations to adopt decentralization techniques.
My research revealed a more complex picture. In early 2022, only 61% of the 94 civil society organizations and NGOs I spoke with saw blockchain technology as a promising alternative to traditional aid support. Of those that responded positively, only 4 organizations were actively using it in their operations and work. Their doubts were deep. I remember a revealing conversation with the head of a popular NGO who feared that creating a metamask wallet would open the door to deplatforming on its existing donation pipelines like PayPal or GoFundMe. He feared that experimenting with cryptocurrencies to solicit donations would raise a red flag with large-scale foundations that their NGO should remain in good standing with. I saw his fear as more than just health caution; It is a form of inadvertent paralysis that prevents meaningful, transformative change to the status quo. In a world where every second and every cent counts, hesitation comes at a cost.
The crisis: the merciless chapter:
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6, 2023 taught us a harsh lesson in the disparity between disaster response in Syria and Turkey. In Syria, more than 4.5 million people, already suffering from displacement and conflict, face a new catastrophe. With the collapse of buildings, which claimed the lives of more than 8,476 people, the need for assistance became urgent and urgent.
Turkish NGOs responded quickly, leveraging existing blockchain donation pipelines to raise more than US$11 million in just 48 hours. Their innovative use of cryptocurrencies, NFT sales, and platforms like Endaoment and The Giving Block not only showcased their digital know-how, but also highlighted the huge gap in resources and technology between the two countries. Turkish government initiatives and campaigns such as “Turkey – United Heart” showed more effectiveness in mobilization, resulting in a stunning increase in the population. 115.1 billion Turkish liras (equivalent to 6.22 billion US dollars) in one night.
By contrast, Syrian organizations have struggled, constrained by weak compliance, legal infrastructure, and limited access to global fundraising platforms. Team Molham, a major Syrian NGO, managed to raise $1.12 million over the course of just a week. While this disparity was not simply a technological issue, it was exacerbated by international sanctions that impeded access to resources and humanitarian aid, deepening the crisis for vulnerable groups. However, as highlighted in Discussions by expertsHowever, the main obstacle to effective aid delivery in Syria has been not only these sanctions, but also the actions of the Syrian regime. Practices such as withdrawing aid for sale on the black market and mismanagement of resources have exacerbated the challenges facing humanitarian efforts, adding layers of complexity to an already dire situation.
But in the wake of the earthquake, a tangible shift began in opposition areas. Signs displayed by hawala offices prominently advertised their acceptance of cryptocurrency transfers, signaling a major shift towards digital currency. NGOs in these areas are beginning to approach digital currency with more urgency and practical curiosity. Some began receiving individual donations in their own portfolios, while they sought greater clarity and reassurance from international donors. Syrian diaspora organizations, such as Karam Foundation, which operate within clearer regulatory frameworks in other countries, have been able to use platforms such as “The Giving Block” to obtain secure donations.
Chart 2: An announcement by a local Syrian transfer office indicating the acceptance and facilitation of cryptocurrency transactions – Source: Syrian NGO in Aleppo, Northern Syria
I believe this scenario marks the beginning of the transition from initial exploration to cautious and proactive integration of blockchain systems for disaster relief.
The head of the Fratuna Development Organization in eastern Syria shared a view of cautious optimism with me, noting that the successful use of cryptocurrency donations in Ukraine for the humanitarian aid response has reduced concerns about their use in Syria. “We are telling donors that we are not just ready to use them; we need them,” he said.
From skepticism to adoption: turning the tide
In our pre-crisis survey, only 51 out of 94 organizations considered blockchain technology a viable alternative to established systems. After the crisis, 87 of the same NGOs responded positively, and many have already begun to integrate technology into their work and operations. Stripped of the luxury of choice and time, those on the ground didn’t just adapt; They converted. Those who were previously skeptical are now embracing digital currency as a preferred solution for remittances and donations.
The earthquake was a real turning point for Syrian aid. Syrian opposition organizations began to draw lessons from the progressive position of Turkish institutions, taking advantage of the legal clarity in Turkey and the decline in suspicions. Small organizations inside Syria have begun openly soliciting cryptocurrency donations on their social media accounts.
We’re not just talking about a few early adopters here. Even the major NGOs I spoke with have undergone legal consultations to explore blockchain-based funding channels. The maze of compliance and regulation presents its own obstacles, highlighting the clear need for education and improvement of the system, but the fear that once paralyzed them is now largely absent.
Re-humanizing impact
If this story tells us anything, it is that theoretical discussions about new channels for aid are over. We are now in the world of the practical, the tangible, and the intense urgency. Peer aid is not just about raising money; Rather, it is about re-engineering trust in a world marred by crises. We can narrow the distance between giver and recipient, and foster a feeling of closeness even continents away. In this new model, aid becomes a personal gesture rather than an anonymous transaction, transforming the donor-recipient dynamic into one of solidarity.
When borders and bureaucracies become walls blocking our common humanity, public protocols become a vital artery, enabling not only the flow of money but also the pulse of human communication. It is more than just a tool; It is a lifeline in a broken world. As global crises expose the weaknesses of our traditional systems – systems that falter and crumble under duress – blockchains may be able to offer a more flexible alternative – one that treats all participants fairly, regardless of their social and political context.
Karam Al-Hamad is a second-year MPP student at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs with 12 years of experience in international development, specializing in research and grants management, with a focus on Middle Eastern dynamics. His current work explores the potential of blockchain technology in humanitarian aid. Its research report will be published later this year.
