Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, stated Tuesday that the company will offer temporary housing free to 20,000 Afghan refugees worldwide as a result of the Taliban's rise to power.
Chesky stated that the company will pay for the housing costs using contributions to Airbnb.org, a Refugee Fund created by this division and personal contributions from Chesky. Airbnb.org will work with NGOs to provide emergency housing for people in crisis.
Airbnb will start housing Afghan refugees worldwide for free starting today. Brian Chesky (@bchesky), August 24, 2021
One of the most critical humanitarian crises is the displacement and resettlement in Afghanistan of Afghan refugees. Chesky tweeted that we have a responsibility to act.
Chesky stated that Airbnb hosts who offer their homes for refugee families fleeing Afghanistan will soon be able sign up for the service. Airbnb will share more information about how hosts and the wider community can support this initiative. Chesky stated that he hopes the initiative of Airbnb will encourage other business leaders to follow his lead.
After arriving in the U.S. last weekend, the company stated that it had already worked with partners to provide safe housing for 165 refugees. Airbnb will work with resettlement agencies in order to expand the initiative and offer support as needed.
The initiative of Airbnb comes as tens of thousands attempt to flee Afghanistan. Companies and governments are under increasing pressure to help refugees fleeing Afghanistan amid the crisis. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, there are approximately 2.5 million Afghan refugees. Around 58,700 refugees have been evacuated from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, since August 15.
The first chapter of their new lives will begin with the resettlement of thousands of Afghan refugees around the globe. Chesky stated that he hopes the Airbnb community will offer these 20,000 refugees a safe haven to resettle and begin over.
Airbnb has provided housing for those in need since its inception. The company provided housing free of charge to students, refugees, and holders of green cards who were affected by the executive order restricting refugees issued by President Donald Trump in 2017. In the COVID-19 epidemic, Airbnb also provided housing assistance to 100,000 healthcare workers. Airbnb claims it has provided temporary housing for approximately 25,000 refugees over the last four years.
