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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Graeme Murray

AirBnb offers home to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees escaping Russian invasion

Airbnb is to offer short-term housing for up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees displaced by the invasion by Russia.

The temporary stays will be funded by the firm and its donors to the Airbnb.org Refugee Fund, and the generosity of Hosts through Airbnb.org.

Bosses sent letters to European leaders offering to welcome refugees fleeing from the war-torn country to four nations to take in those trying to escape Vladimir Putin's invasion.

Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO, Nathan Blecharzy, chief strategy officer and Joe Gebbia non-profit Airbnb.org all stated the organisation's plan to provide housing for Ukrainian refugees.

A statement from Airbnb read: “We know that hosts on Airbnb and guests around the world will be eager to stand up and assist this massive effort – and in the coming days, Airbnb plans to share details on how hosts on Airbnb and the broader community can support this initiative.”

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Airbnb will fund accommodation for refugees (AFP via Getty Images)

The leaders of Poland, Germany, Hungary and Romania will be the first to take in refugees from Ukraine

Airbnb says it will arrange short-term housing and will "work with governments to support the specific needs in each country, including providing longer-term stays."

The firm is a nonprofit organisation, which it says, is "dedicated to temporary stays for people in moments of crisis."

A girl cries as she sits on a camp bed at a temporary shelter for Ukrainian refugees (AFP via Getty Images)

This includes supporting refugees and other displaced people around the world.

Last week it provided housing to 21,300 Afghan refugees, and wants to cater for another 20,000 from Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America.

Over the past five years, Airbnb and Airbnb.org claims to have brought together more than 54,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan

Last year it announced the creation of its Refugee Fund and has attracted more than 4,000 donors to support its temporary rehousing work worldwide.

The organisation says it has a decade of experience providing emergency accommodation for those in need.

In 2020, Hosts on Airbnb around the world opened their doors to thousands of frontline workers fighting the spread of Covid-19.

Last year, Airbnb.org also activated its emergency response program to provide those affected by floods across Western Europe.

Ukrainian refugees arrive from their homeland at Zahonyi railway station (AFP via Getty Images)

On the company's website it states: ""We know that Hosts and guests on Airbnb around the world will be eager to stand up and assist this massive effort to help those fleeing Ukraine.

"In the coming days, Airbnb and Airbnb.org will share additional details on how hosts and the broader community can support this initiative, including by offering free or discounted stays. "

"Airbnb is also dedicated to the safety of hosts and guests in Ukraine, and we are actively working to support our local community."

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