When I worked for a US NGO, we used ATMs for local expenses. The home office put money into my account in the States, I withdrew my maximum every day and used the money to pay my assistants, phone bills, office rent, etc. In most cases, I was even able to find an ATM that did not charge for withdrawing dollars. I could get money cheaper in Novosibirsk than I can now that I'm back in the US.

This isn't good for any large expenses, but great for getting the cash to pay for operating expenses in the field.