Airbnb is offering free accommodation to 20,000 Afghan refugees

Aug 31, 2021

A good news story, at last.

The world was stunned and horrified when images started pouring out of Afghanistan in recent weeks showing the militant Taliban taking over Kabul, the centre of government in the country.

It’s now estimated that thousands of Afghans are attempting to flee the south-central Asian nation (this is in addition to the 2.2 million who are currently seeking refuge in neighbouring countries), raising the question of where they all will go.

Online holiday marketplace Airbnb has stepped in to offer free housing in host locations around the world for up to 20,000 refugees fleeing the country.

Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky announced on Twitter that the company felt a “responsibility to step up [given] the displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the US and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time.”

It’s a compassionate move from the rental behemoth who has recently come under heavy criticism for its uncompromising COVID-19 policies, leaving domestic travellers thousands of dollars out of pocket when they can’t travel due to border closures or lockdowns.

Chesky said that he hoped Airbnb’s decision would inspire other business leaders to follow his lead. “There’s no time to waste,” he said. “As tens of thousands of Afghan refugees resettle around the world, where they stay will be the first chapter in their new lives. 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.”

Airbnb intends to cover the cost of the accommodation in cities throughout the world, along with donors to the Airbnb.org Refugee Fund. But at this stage, it’s not entirely clear how long refugees will be offered housing for or whether Airbnb is prepared to help with the bigger issue – long-term resettlement for thousands of displaced Afghans.

Over the past four years, Airbnb.org and Airbnb have supported around 25,000 refugees – including hundreds participating in the US Special Immigrant Visa Program – to access and stay in temporary housing.