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The vacation rental is encouraging people to volunteer their homes for those fleeing the war
Airbnb is one of the many companies who are stepping up in the midst of the Russian-Ukraine crisis. In only a matter of days after Russia invaded Ukraine, the vacation rental platform announced that they are offering temporary housing for up to 100,000 Ukrainians who are flooding into European countries.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in almost 400,000 Ukrainians fleeing their homes, according to the UN refugee agency. Coordinated through Airbnb.org, the company’s non-profit arm, they will be working with resettlement agencies in Ukraine to find people in need and also encourage Airbnb hosts to volunteer rentals to the project.
Last Monday, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky tweeted, “We need help to meet this goal. The greatest need we have is for more people who can offer their homes in nearby countries, including Poland, Germany, Hungary, and Romania. If you can host a refugee, go here: airbnb.org/get-involved.”
Airbnb executives have sent letters to the leaders of 14 European countries which include Germany, France, Hungary, Poland, and Romania, offering support in welcoming refugees within their borders. While the rental company is providing short-term housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, they will also be working closely with governments to support specific needs of each country, including long-term stays.
This isn’t the first time Airbnb has stepped up in using its platform to house displaced people. Just last week, the company announced they surpassed their goal to house 20,000 Afghan refugees after six months of pledging their commitment and is now setting a new goal to provide free, temporary housing to another 20,000 people from Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, and other regions. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have also provided free stays to tens of thousands of frontline workers.
Apart from housing, Airbnb is also inviting people from around the world to support Ukrainian refugees through donations which you can do here. You can also donate through these other channels:
Save the Children, an international charity to provide children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and cash assistance. Donate here.
UNICEF, a global charity focused on the welfare of children, healthcare, and education. Donate here.
UNHCR, a UN agency mandated to aid, protect refugees, and forcibly displaced communities. Donate here.
CARE, an international aid organization aiming to provide social services, food, water, and hygiene kits. Donate here.
The Ukrainian Red Cross, a non-profit humanitarian and charitable association of Ukraine. Donate here.
Project HOPE, a humanitarian organization that provides medical supplies to refugees once they’ve fled to surrounding countries. Donate here.
To help BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disabled Ukrainian refugees, donate here.
