Airbnb to House 20,000 Afghan Refugees for Free Around the World

[babylonsister]

I wish I had an airbnb; I would be honored to help.


Airbnb to House 20,000 Afghan Refugees for Free Around the World
VACANCY
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says the plan starts immediately and that the company will foot the bills anywhere in the world.
Barbie Latza Nadeau
Correspondent-At-Large
Updated Aug. 25, 2021 10:17AM ET / Published Aug. 25, 2021 10:16AM ET


As thousands of Afghans reach safety through American-led global evacuations from the chaotic airport in Kabul, housing has emerged as the preeminent challenge in many countries. That is what has led Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says led to his pledge of free housing for 20,000 displaced Afghans on Tuesday.

“The displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the US and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time,” he posted on Twitter Tuesday. “We feel a responsibility to step up.”

Link to tweet

While Airbnb hosts will ultimately have to agree to accept refugees, Chesky says he feels the program will work. Airbnb has already provided free housing during natural disasters in many countries which began when they hosted more than 1,000 people in New York displaced by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The company reports that it has offered such accommodation to more than 75,000 people worldwide. Airbnb launched an Open Homes project in 2017 that offers renters an opportunity to help their local communities. They have assisted people displaced by the Mexico City earthquake and wildfires in the U.S. and Australia.

“While we will be paying for these stays, we could not do this without the generosity of our Hosts,” he wrote. “I hope this inspires other business leaders to do the same. There’s no time to waste.”

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https://www.thedailybeast.com/airbnb-to-house-20000-afgthan-refugees-for-free-around-the-world?ref=home