Cách bạn có thể hỗ trợ người tị nạn Afghanistan

Amid growing violence and insecurity, over a half-million people in Afghanistan fled their homes last year. Airbnb.org responded to the humanitarian crisis by committing to help provide temporary housing for 20,000 Afghan refugees worldwide.

In partnership with resettlement agencies and other nonprofit groups, Airbnb.org met that commitment in 6 months. Thanks to the generosity of Hosts who offered their space for free or at a discount, Airbnb.org also was able to secure temporary housing for nearly 1,300 additional Afghan refugees.

Airbnb.org continues to support refugees, asylum seekers, and others in times of need, including newcomers from Central America. You can help by signing up to host a refugee, or by making a donation to Airbnb.org.

To make it easier for you to offer assistance, we’re answering the most common questions Hosts and supporters ask.

How does the refugee housing program work—and who can participate?
Anyone with space available, from a private room to an entire home, can offer to temporarily house refugees through Airbnb.org, known previously as Open Homes. If you’re already an Airbnb Host, you can opt into the program and make your listing(s) available for free or at a discounted rate. If you’re new to Airbnb and only want to host for this cause, you can create a listing on Airbnb.org that’s free and available only to refugee guests.

What can I expect after I sign up?
Airbnb.org seeks Hosts to provide temporary stays for refugees when resettlement efforts are underway.

By signing up to host Airbnb.org guests, you can indicate your willingness to share your space for free or at a discounted rate when the need for housing in your area arises. Airbnb.org’s nonprofit partners expect new arrivals throughout the year, so you may not receive a booking request right away.

Before booking your space, a case manager from one of Airbnb.org’s nonprofit partners may reach out with questions. Booking requests come from a case manager, not refugee guests. Airbnb and Airbnb.org share your listing’s calendar, so you won’t be asked to host refugees on nights when your space is unavailable.

Not all Hosts who sign up for the program will receive a booking request. However, by keeping your Airbnb.org listing active, you’re giving case managers a wider variety of housing options and supporting the cause.

What’s the typical length of a refugee stay?
A refugee stay can range from a few days to a few weeks. The average stay is 7–14 days.

How can I prepare to host and communicate with refugee guests?
Start by doing what you’d usually do to create a guest-friendly space, and be prepared to make a few adjustments.

Here are two important changes you can expect to make:

1. Coordinate everything with the case manager who books the stay. During the booking process—and prior to your guests’ arrival—you can emphasize any details about you and your space that feel particularly relevant. You can also ask questions, express concerns, and discuss the most appropriate ways to interact with your guests and overcome language barriers. After your guests arrive, the case manager is responsible for all of their basic needs (including meals, transportation, and clothing) and addressing any issues that arise

2. Give refugees more space than you may be accustomed to giving other guests. People who’ve been displaced are going through a period of immense change. They may simply want a safe, quiet place to be. Respect their privacy and avoid sharing their refugee status or story with others without their permission.

What are the eligibility requirements for refugees to be booked in temporary stays—and who helps them find a long-term place to call home?
All guests eligible for these stays must be referred to Airbnb.org by an official partner. In the U.S., they also must have a Special Immigrant Visa, legal status as a recognized refugee entitled to international protection (as determined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), and/or have begun the process of seeking asylum or other immigration status with a similar humanitarian purpose.

Airbnb.org’s nonprofit partners provide refugees with resources and specialized support so they can get resettled. Your offering of a temporary stay gives partners time to secure and prepare long-term housing.

What kind of support or protection does this program offer Hosts?
During the stay, you can reach out to the case manager or Airbnb.org if you need support. Airbnb Support Ambassadors are also available 24/7. They will route your inquiry to a dedicated Airbnb.org team experienced in working with nonprofit partners.

I can’t host refugees at this time. What else can I do?
You can support the program by donating money to Airbnb.org. You can make a one-time donation or, as a Host, you can set up your Airbnb listings to donate 1% to 100% of your earnings at every checkout as a recurring donor. Airbnb covers all of Airbnb.org’s operating costs, so 100% of your donation goes toward connecting people with temporary housing in times of crisis.

Is Airbnb.org hosting or donating tax-deductible?
Tax regulations vary by country, so be sure to review local laws or consult with a professional tax advisor to determine what deductions you can take.

If you pay income tax in the United States, monetary donations to 
Airbnb.org—an independent 501(c)(3) organization—as a charitable contribution are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation.

At this time, we can’t provide charitable tax receipts for Airbnb.org stays.

How can I get an Airbnb.org Supporter badge?
The badge shows up on your public Host profile page when you offer at least one active listing through Airbnb.org or become a recurring donor by giving a percentage of your Airbnb payouts to Airbnb.org.

How do I opt out when I can no longer host refugees?
You’ll be able to manage your settings to show that your space is no longer available for free or discounted stays through the Airbnb.org program.

You’re asking Hosts to give up income to house refugees. What’s Airbnb doing?
So far, we’ve met our commitment to:

• Help fund the cost of temporarily housing 20,000 Afghan refugee guests, alongside other donors to Airbnb.org
• Waive all service fees for refugee stays booked through Airbnb.org
• Provide dedicated support and Airbnb’s Host damage protection and Host liability insurance to Hosts of refugee stays
• Supply services, technology, and additional funds to Airbnb.org to make these stays possible

Looking ahead, we will continue to:

• Offer transitional housing to refugees, asylum seekers, and other people in need through Airbnb.org, with resettlement agencies and nonprofit partners worldwide
• Support Welcome.US, a national effort to welcome Afghans to their new homes in the United States

Host a refugee or make a donation through Airbnb.org

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication