RAND Europe, with Athena Infonomics and glass.ai, conducted a study that characterised the current landscape of technology use in the sector and explored potential development pathways out to 2030, as well as associated risks and opportunities. The study developed five deep dives of promising technology areas, three foresight concepts and a four-step guidance framework to ensure the suitable deployment of technologies in humanitarian contexts.

Humanitarian Technology Adoption Case Study

Biometrics

Pauline Paillé, Hampton Toole, Chryssa Politi, Jacob Ohrvik-Stott

ResearchPublished Oct 17, 2024

RAND Europe, in partnership with Athena Infonomics and glass.ai, conducted a study exploring the adoption and use of emerging technologies (excluding AI solutions) and to explore opportunities for future responsible adoption of technologies. The research was funded by the United Kingdom Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH) as part of their Foresight Initiative.

To supplement initial project activities, the study team also developed two case studies focusing on specific technology areas that have already been adopted in the humanitarian sector. These topics were explored during workshops with a wide range of stakeholders.

This document explores the adoption of biometrics within the humanitarian sector, including factors or pre-conditions that have contributed to the development of these systems. These encompass the development of organisational funding and values, governance and local capacity.

Key Findings

  • The risk of malpractice, fraud and aid diversion associated with the use of biometrics in humanitarian sector remains a concern within the sector. Organisations have adopted various approaches to mitigate these risks.
  • Regulations related to biometrics have been slower to develop than the technology itself, promoting organisations within the humanitarian sector to adopt 'ex-ante' governance approaches. There appears to be a lack of consensus across the sector on the use of these technologies.
  • Capacity building across crises-affected communities is likely to enable the responsible adoption of biometrics. This includes both the development of infrastructure as well as human capital and local agency in the deployment of these systems.

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Document Details

Citation

RAND Style Manual

Paillé, Pauline, Hampton Toole, Chryssa Politi, and Jacob Ohrvik-Stott, Humanitarian Technology Adoption Case Study: Biometrics, RAND Corporation, RR-A3192-6, 2024. As of May 1, 2025: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3192-6.html

Chicago Manual of Style

Paillé, Pauline, Hampton Toole, Chryssa Politi, and Jacob Ohrvik-Stott, Humanitarian Technology Adoption Case Study: Biometrics. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2024. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3192-6.html.
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This project was commissioned by the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH) and funded by UK International Development. The research was conducted RAND Europe.

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