Airbnb has announced that it will accommodate 20,000 Afghan refugees for free to help them resettle globally.
The company’s CEO said that the latest decision was in response to “one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time”.
Responsibility Of Businesses
He said the company felt that it was time for them to act on their social responsibilities.
Chief executive Brian Chesky added: “I hope this will inspire other business leaders to do the same. There is no time to waste.”
“With tens of thousands of Afghan refugees relocating around the world, their stay will be the first chapter of their new lives. For these 20,000 refugees, my hope is that the Airbnb community will not only provide them with a safe place to rest and start over, but also a warm welcome home. . “he said.
The pledge that Airbnb has taken has started immediately. The company said it was working with NGOs present on the ground to help with the most vital needs of the hour.
How Will The Scheme Operate?
Airbnb will also work with resettlement agencies and partners to “go where it is needed” and transform the program and its support where necessary.
“As from today, Airbnb will begin accommodating 20,000 refugees worldwide for free,” Mr Chesky said on Twitter on Tuesday.
“While we would be paying for these accommodations, we would not be doing this without the hospitality of the hosts.”
The company said the cost of living would be covered by donations from Airbnb and Mr Chesky, as well as sponsors of Airbnb.org Refugee Fund.
‘One Of The Biggest Humanitarian Crises’
He appealed to the volunteers to contact him, saying: “The relocation and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the US and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian problems in our time.”
Landlords who run Airbnb premises have long been encouraged to donate their home stays to “people in trouble”.
The program began in response to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when more than a thousand people were in need of emergency shelter after a New York city was deeply affected.
Since then, it says it has helped more than 75,000 people.
