Photo: VIKTORIASAPATA/Depositphotos
People around the world use Airbnb as their side hustle or even their full-time job.
For many Ukrainian hosts, the Russian invasion has disrupted everything about their lives, including their business.
However, the internationalAirbnbcommunity is stepping up to support hosts and funnel much-needed donations into the besieged nation.
Photo: VIKTORIASAPATA/Depositphotos
The wave of support originated in a Facebook group for Airbnb hosts.
Sarah Brown, a host in Salt Lake City, booked a room in Kyiv with host Ekaterina Martiusheva.
Brown, of course, had no intention of checking in.
However, Airbnb pays its hosts 24 hours after the stay starts.
This makes it a quick and efficient way to get money to those on the ground in Ukraine.
She toldNPR, These days we do not have any income.
Martiusheva stays because of her elderly parents, but also to support the army.
It’s hard to protect to an empty city, she says.
The idea of donation via bookings quickly took off.
Thats $1.9M going to hosts in need.
Many Airbnbs are booked solid into the summer months, ensuring a stream of future income.
Good samaritans have also been careful to book shared rooms and with hosts in smaller cities or the countryside.
These hosts may perhaps be the most in need.
If you are interested in donating to help Ukrainians during this crisis,there are many ways.
Airbnb is also asking for volunteers to open their homes to refugees fleeing violence.
The company has committed to offering free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
In 48 hours, 61,406 nights have been booked in Ukraine.
That’s $1.9M going to Hosts in need
Such a cool idea from our community.
