Airbnb offers free accommodation for people displaced by Western Cape disasters
Image: STRINGER
Airbnb has offered temporary housing for displaced people in the Western Cape at no charge.
Already‚ more than 70 Airbnb hosts have offered their houses through the Airbnb disaster tool to those who have been displaced due to ranging fires and floods.
“Airbnb has activated our Disaster Response Tool to assist travellers and temporarily displaced locals impacted by the flooding and wildfires across the Western Cape‚” said Velma Corcoran‚ Airbnb Country Manager for South Africa.
Corcoran said in the event of emergencies like this one‚ the Airbnb disaster response tool connects those in need of urgent accommodation with local Airbnb hosts who are opening their homes free of charge.
Corcoran said there have been take-ups on the temporary accommodation offer in the region.
“We are trying to reach as many people affected as possible‚ as well as spread the word to Airbnb hosts in the area so that they can list their home for free and assist in housing those in need‚” said Corcoran.
The disaster tool is helping to connect travellers and temporarily displaced locals who have been impacted by the events in the Western Cape with Airbnb hosts nearby from now through to June 30.
The concept began organically back in 2012 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy‚ and has since grown into a global disaster response initiative that makes it easy for Airbnb hosts to provide space for people in need when disasters like this strike.
“We are hopeful that the South African Airbnb community will come together to open their homes for those in need‚” Corcoran said.