Airbnb, the holiday rental giant, says it will house 20,000 Afghan ‘refugees’ to stay at residences operated by Airbnb hosts.
“Starting today, Airbnb will begin housing 20,000 Afghan refugees globally for free,” CEO Brian Chesky wrote on social media on Tuesday.
“While we will be paying for these stays, we could not do this without the generosity of our Hosts.”
Chesky says the company will execute the plan with help from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Airbnb.org, an affiliated nonprofit created to provide free lodging to people affected by crises.
“As tens of thousands of Afghan refugees resettle around the world, where they stay will be the first chapter in their new lives,” Chesky said in a statement.
“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.”
The company says that Airbnb.org has already provided “emergency funding and support” to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Church World Service, and International Rescue Committee to ensure up to 1,000 Afghans could be temporarily housed at Airbnb properties.
As more than one social media user has pointed out, tens of thousands of military veterans are currently homeless in the United States.
Forsided, 26.08.2021