Airbnb, the tech company that provides property renting for travelers across the world, has now joined in humanitarian efforts towards displaced Afghanistan citizens. Afghan refugees can now access housing for free after a refugee crisis led to many of them being displaced from their homes, following the withdrawal of US trips from the country and the consequent takeover of the Taliban.
Airbnb is proving its continued effort by offering 20,000 Afghan refugees as an expanded strategy to their already available “First Responders” program. This program introduced in 2020 offers lodging to frontline workers responding to the Covid19 crisis. Airbnb.org has also previously helped provide shelter to those affected by natural disasters.
“Airbnb and Airbnb.org are announcing that Airbnb.org will provide temporary housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees worldwide – the cost of which is funded through contributions to Airbnb.org from Airbnb and Brian Chesky, as well as donors to the Airbnb.org Refugee Fund,” read a statement in their news blog.
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Recently, Airbnb.org gave emergency funding and support through relevant agencies to provide temporary stay and safe housing for more than a thousand refugees. Earlier in the year, they had announced the launching of a $25 million fund aimed at supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Their infrastructure is therefore proving critical in helping all these groups avert humanitarian crises around the world.
If any of the current hosts feel the need to volunteer towards this exercise, the company CEO is calling out for them to reach out and be connected to the right people. This comes after companies like Facebook also showed their commitment with tools on their platform to protect accounts of Afghan citizens.
“As tens of thousands of Afghan refugees resettle around the world, where they stay will be the first chapter in their new lives. For these 20,000 refugees, my hope is that the Airbnb community will provide them with not only a safe place to rest and start over but also a warm welcome home.” Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO and co-founder
