Airbnb is offering free accommodations to 20,000 Afghan refugees [Video]

• Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said the refugees will be housed in properties listed on Airbnb’s platform and the stays will be funded by Airbnb.
• Chesky did not specify exactly how much the company plans to spend on the commitment or how long refugees will be housed for.
• The U.S. said Monday it has evacuated roughly 48,000 people from Afghanistan in recent days, while thousands are still trying to escape, fearing reprisals from the Taliban militants now in power.

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Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said last week that the company wants to offer accommodations to 20,000 Afghan refugees around the world free of charge.

Posting on Twitter, Brian said the refugees will be housed in properties listed on Airbnb’s platform, which, of course, will be funded by Airbnb. Though he did not mention exactly how much Airbnb plans to spend on the pledge, or how long the refugees will be housed for free, it’s still good news.

On Monday, the United States has evacuated about 48,000 people from Afghanistan in recent days. The Taliban has set an airlift deadline of Aug. 31 and we can only hope that all those who want to leave the war-stricken country will be able to.

Starting today, Airbnb will begin housing 20,000 Afghan refugees globally for free.— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) August 24, 2021

“The displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the U.S. and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time,” said Brian. “We feel a responsibility to step up.”

He added: “I hope this inspires other business leaders to do the same. There’s no time to waste.”

Brian encouraged Airbnb hosts to “reach out” to him if they want to host a refugee family and promised to connect them with the right people at the company.

Several companies rush to show their concern to the victims in times of a major crisis; it’s an opportunity to be charitable.

Texas Medical Technology, a supplier and distributor of medical equipment, told CNBC on Tuesday that it plans to hire 100 Afghan refugees within a year at a 144,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Houston.

Airbnb, which is valued at around $92 billion, often offers to cover the cost of housing in emergencies. It says that 75,000 people have found a place to stay in a time of crisis since 2012.

Source: CNBC