Airbnb.org has started an initiative that aims to aid Europe flood victims by allowing them to benefit from free housing. Some regions of the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium have been hit the worst by catastrophic floods, and reports reveal that there have been over 180 deaths with numerous people still missing.
In this dire situation where many people have lost their homes, Airbnb"s emergency response program enables those affected by the floods to connect with local Hosts who are willing to provide accommodations without any charges. Flood victims can use these temporary stays starting now until the 2nd of August.
Head of Airbnb.org Programs, Kristen Berlacher stated:
We are devastated by the scenes the destructive floods have caused across Western Europe and our thoughts are with all those affected. Through Airbnb.org’s disaster response program, new and existing Hosts on Airbnb can provide free, temporary housing to people displaced by the flooding. We are grateful for the generosity of the Airbnb Host community and we continue to coordinate closely with local government agencies and other nonprofit partners to help those in need.
In addition to Hosts, we also want to thank all of the emergency responders who are working around the clock to tackle this extremely difficult and tragic situation.
Airbnb"s existing Hosts with entire home listings and those who have free space in affected areas of Western Europe can participate in the program by listing their homes for €0 and providing temporary stays to victims for free. Hosts and flood victims can head over to the dedicated webpage here for more information on temporary accommodations.