Airbnb to arrange free accommodation for 100,000 refugees from Ukraine

Airbnb will accommodate up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine in the short term, CEO Brian Chesky announced on Monday. Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, urging thousands to flee. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a tweet on Monday that more than 500,000 people have already fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries.

Chesky invited hosts from neighbouring countries such as Poland, Germany, Hungary, and Romania to participate in this effort. 

The CEO said the campaign was funded by Airbnb, donations to Airbnb.org, and "generosity of Hosts." A spokesperson has said that the airline is prepared to offer housing for up to 14 days.

According to a press release, Airbnb has arranged accommodation for 54,000 refugees and asylum seekers over the past five years. The company announced last week that it had arranged free temporary housing for more than 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan.

Neighbouring European countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic, have shown that millions of refugees are preparing to flee Ukraine prior to the Russian attack. The United States of America also said it welcomed those fleeing Ukraine, but said most refugees wanted to go to Europe and neighbouring countries.