Airbnb Steps Up To Offer Free Housing To 100,000 Ukrainian Refugees
A week ago, Airbnb announced it had surpassed its goal of housing 20,000 refugees displaced by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Now, in response to the crisis in Ukraine, the homestay platform’s nonprofit organization Airbnb.org is offering free, short-term housing to 100,000 refugees fleeing the nation.
According to USA Today, the effort will be funded by Airbnb, donors to the service’s Refugee Fund, and home hosts.
“We know that Hosts on Airbnb and guests around the world will be eager to stand up and assist this massive effort—and in the coming days, Airbnb plans to share details on how Hosts on Airbnb and the broader community can support this initiative,” the company said.
Numerous countries in the region have agreed to receive refugees from Ukraine, including Romania, Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Brian Chesky, the firm’s CEO, has reached out to authorities in Poland, Germany, Hungary, and Romania to offer the use of Airbnb homes as a way to house the Ukrainian refugees.
CBS News reported that thus far, 677,000 refugees have crossed over to neighboring countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began.
In a sobering statement, a UNHCR spokesperson said “the situation looks set to become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century.”
As such, Airbnb will be stepping up its efforts to help refugees adapt to their new lives abroad, and partner with local governments to support specific initiatives in each nation.
“While Airbnb is committing to facilitate short-term housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, it will work closely with governments to best support the specific needs in each country, including by providing longer-term stays,” it promised.
