Glossary of Terms
This glossary provides definitions for key terms and concepts used throughout the Rahat platform documentation. Terms are organized alphabetically for easy reference.
A
Agency - An organization that deploys and manages aid distribution projects on the Rahat platform. Agencies are responsible for setting up projects, managing funds, monitoring progress, and generating reports.
Anticipatory Action (AA) - A proactive humanitarian assistance approach that delivers aid before disasters strike. Rahat's AA module integrates with weather forecasts and early warning systems to trigger automated disbursements based on environmental conditions.
API (Application Programming Interface) - A set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. Rahat provides REST APIs for beneficiary management, vendor operations, and blockchain interactions.
B
Beneficiary - A person receiving aid through the Rahat platform. Beneficiaries are identified with unique identifiers (often phone numbers), registered in the system, and can receive digital tokens for redemption at local vendors.
Blockchain - A decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. Rahat uses blockchain technology to ensure transparency, security, and immutability of aid distribution records.
Burning - The process of permanently removing tokens from circulation after they have been redeemed or are no longer needed.
C
Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) - A humanitarian assistance approach that provides individuals with cash or vouchers for goods and services, rather than direct in-kind assistance. Rahat supports CVA through digital tokens that can be redeemed at registered vendors.
Claim - A request by a beneficiary to redeem tokens for goods or services at a vendor. Claims are processed through OTP verification and smart contract interactions.
Crowdfunding - A web-based, blockchain-supported tool that allows beneficiaries to create and manage online fundraising campaigns to raise funds for their needs.
Crypto to Crypto (C2C) - A Rahat project module that enables secure and efficient transfer of cryptocurrency assets for humanitarian aid distribution, including offramping services to convert crypto to local currency.
Custodial Wallet - A wallet managed by a third party (like an exchange or offramping service) that holds cryptocurrency on behalf of the user. Rahat provides custodial wallet services for beneficiaries who may not have technical expertise.
D
Database Schema - The structure and organization of data in the Rahat system. The platform uses PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM for data persistence and type-safe queries.
Disbursement - The act of sending aid funds (crypto or tokens) to a beneficiary's wallet. Rahat supports both manual and automated disbursement workflows.
Distribution Strategy - The plan for how tokens will be distributed to beneficiaries, including token types, distribution mechanisms, and redemption rules.
E
ERC-20 - A standard interface for fungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. Rahat uses ERC-20 tokens for aid distribution and tracking.
EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) - A runtime environment for smart contracts on Ethereum and other compatible blockchains. Rahat supports EVM-compatible chains for smart contract deployment.
Event Indexing - The process of tracking and storing blockchain events for efficient querying. Rahat uses The Graph protocol to index events like token transfers, beneficiary registrations, and claim processing.
F
Fungible Token - A type of token where each unit is identical and interchangeable, like cash. Rahat uses fungible tokens to represent generic value for aid distribution.
G
Gas Fees - Small costs paid to the blockchain network for processing cryptocurrency transactions. These fees vary by network and transaction complexity.
GraphQL - A query language and runtime for APIs that provides a complete description of the data available. Rahat uses GraphQL through The Graph protocol for efficient blockchain data querying.
Group - A collection of beneficiaries organized by geographic, social, economic, or other criteria for targeted aid distribution.
H
Hardhat - A development environment for Ethereum that helps developers compile, deploy, test, and debug smart contracts. Rahat uses Hardhat for smart contract development and testing.
I
Identity Verification - The process of confirming a beneficiary's identity, often through KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures that vary by project requirements.
J
JWT (JSON Web Token) - A secure way to transmit information between parties as a JSON object. Rahat uses JWT for authentication and authorization across its services.
K
KYC (Know Your Customer) - Identity verification procedures used to verify the identity of beneficiaries and prevent fraud. KYC requirements vary by project and regulatory context.
Key Concepts - Fundamental ideas and principles that are essential for understanding and working with the Rahat platform, including CVA, blockchain technology, and beneficiary management.
L
Local Vendor - A registered business or service provider that accepts Rahat tokens from beneficiaries in exchange for goods or services. Vendors are onboarded through a verification process.
M
MetaMask - A popular self-managed crypto wallet used in browsers or mobile apps to interact with blockchain applications.
Microservice - An architectural style where an application is built as a collection of small, independent services. Rahat uses a microservices architecture for scalability and maintainability.
Minting - The process of creating new tokens for distribution. In Rahat, tokens are minted by the treasury and allocated to beneficiaries.
Multi-signature (Multisig) Wallet - A wallet that requires multiple people or entities to approve a transaction, used for security in managing donor funds and critical operations.
N
NestJS - A progressive Node.js framework for building scalable server-side applications. Rahat's backend services are built using NestJS.
Non-Fungible Token (NFT) - A type of token that represents specific goods or services rather than generic value. Each NFT is unique and not interchangeable.
O
Offramping - The process of converting cryptocurrency into local money or mobile money. Rahat provides offramping services to help beneficiaries access local currency.
OTP (One-Time Password) - A temporary password used for secure verification, particularly in claim processing and beneficiary authentication.
P
Point-of-Service - Applications or systems that vendors use to accept tokens from beneficiaries and process redemptions.
Private Key - A secret cryptographic key used to sign transactions and prove ownership of blockchain assets. Private keys must be kept secure and confidential.
Project - A specific aid distribution program with defined timeline, geographic scope, distribution strategy, funding source, and team structure.
Prisma ORM - A modern database toolkit for Node.js and TypeScript that provides type-safe database access. Rahat uses Prisma for database operations.
R
Rahat - An open-source, blockchain-based platform that helps humanitarian organizations deliver cash and resources directly to people—quickly, securely, and with transparency.
Redemption - The process where beneficiaries exchange tokens for goods or services at registered vendors.
Redis - An in-memory data structure store used for caching, session management, and message queuing in the Rahat platform.
REST API - A set of rules for building web services that use HTTP methods to perform operations on resources. Rahat provides REST APIs for various platform functions.
Role-based Access Control (RBAC) - A method of restricting system access based on the roles of individual users. Rahat implements RBAC for secure platform management.
S
Safe/Gnosis - A smart contract wallet that requires multiple approvals for transactions, used in Rahat's multisig operations for enhanced security.
Seed Phrase - A set of secret words used to recover or back up a wallet. Losing the seed phrase means losing access to the wallet forever.
Self-Managed Wallet - A wallet controlled fully by the user (e.g., MetaMask), where only the user has access to the private keys.
Settlement - The process of converting redeemed tokens to fiat currency for vendors.
Smart Contract - Self-executing code on the blockchain that automatically runs when conditions are met. Rahat uses smart contracts for token distribution, claim processing, and beneficiary management.
Soroban - Stellar's native smart contract platform that enables programmable aid workflows on the Stellar network.
Stablecoin - A cryptocurrency with a fixed value, tied to a real currency like the US Dollar (e.g., USDC, USDT). Rahat uses stablecoins for predictable aid distribution.
Stellar - A blockchain network known for fast and low-cost transactions, ideal for cross-border payments and scalable cash assistance.
Subgraph - A GraphQL API that indexes blockchain data for efficient querying. Rahat uses subgraphs to provide fast access to blockchain events and data.
T
Token - A digital representation of value or assets on the blockchain. Rahat uses tokens to represent aid funds that can be distributed and redeemed.
Treasury Wallet - The wallet address that holds the funds to be disbursed to beneficiaries. The treasury manages token creation and allocation.
Transaction - The process of sending or receiving cryptocurrency from one wallet to another, recorded on the blockchain.
Trigger - A signal or condition that starts the aid process—e.g., a flood warning triggering crypto disbursement in Anticipatory Action projects.
U
USDC - A stablecoin pegged to the US Dollar, commonly used in Rahat for aid distribution due to its stability and wide acceptance.
User Management - The system for managing platform users, including authentication, authorization, and role assignments.
V
Vendor - A shop or service provider that accepts tokens from beneficiaries in exchange for goods or services. Vendors are registered and verified in the Rahat system.
Vendor Management - The process of onboarding, verifying, and managing local vendors who participate in the aid distribution network.
W
Wallet - A digital tool (app or extension) used to store, send, and receive cryptocurrency. Rahat supports both custodial and self-managed wallets.
Wallet Address - A unique identifier for a blockchain wallet, used to send and receive cryptocurrency and tokens.
This glossary covers the most commonly used terms in the Rahat platform. For more detailed explanations of specific concepts, refer to the relevant documentation sections.