Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. Photo: Michael Short/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Airbnb will begin housing 20,000 Afghan refugees globally starting Tuesday, founder and CEO Brian Chesky tweeted Tuesday.
Why it matters: "The displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the US and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time," Chesky wrote in a thread. "We feel a responsibility to step up."
- Countries and charitable organizations around the world have pledged to help Afghan refugees, as many continue to flee the country in droves, following the Taliban's takeover of the country.
- "I hope this inspires other business leaders to do the same. There's no time to waste," Chesky wrote.
Between the lines: The company will be hosting the refugees for free with the help of "NGOs, and partners [sic] orgs on the ground to support the most pressing needs," Chesky said.
- Airbnb has housed 75,000 displaced people since 2012 through its Open Homes initiative, according to its website.
What they're saying: Chesky added that the company "could not do this without the generosity of our Hosts."
- "If you’re willing to host a refugee family, reach out and I’ll connect you with the right people here to make it happen!"
Go deeper ... "A living hell": Leaked email describes Afghan refugee conditions