I think that both (a) this is a great idea that would work; and (b) widespread taboos around direct cash aid will delay it from being tried. I doubt its 'secur

I think that both (a) this is a great idea that would work; and (b) widespread taboos around direct cash aid will delay it from being tried. I doubt its 'security and fairness' problems are worse than traditional 'in-kind' aid to distressed areas. That often winds up controlled by parasitical elites, or is totally mismatched to local needs. A random spray winds up in the hands of anyone who can scramble, and some will reach the very neediest -- perhaps more than via traditional approaches, because local exploiters may be unable to monitor all transfers.