Why are Americans booking Airbnbs in Ukraine as it’s being invaded by Russia?
People around the world are turning to an unlikely source to give back to Ukraine — Airbnb.
Airbnbs are being rented throughout Ukraine as the country is at war with Russia, but the people booking the rooms have no intention of staying there. Instead, the “renters” are purchasing the Airbnbs as a way to send cash to Ukrainians.
“Hello Maria, my wife and I have booked your apartment for one week — but of course we will not be visiting,” one person told an Airbnb owner, according to a screenshot they posted on Twitter. “This is just so you can receive some money. We wish we could to more to help you and the people of Kiev.”
Others have done the same, including Emilee Ayers of Bayside, Texas. She told Today she booked two nights at an Airbnb in Kiev, calling it a “wonderful way to help.”
“I specifically looked for an Airbnb that wasn’t a corporate rental,” Ayers told Today. “I wanted to make sure my money was going to a real person.”
Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on three fronts early Thursday, Feb. 24, “bombarding cities, towns and villages” as forces advanced toward the capital of Kyiv.
There are, of course, other ways to help out Ukrainians as the country’s war with Russia wages on. The International Committee of the Red Cross is one high-profile organization involved in the efforts to help Ukrainians.
A list crowd-sourced by Ukrainians recommends local organizations, such as Razom for Ukraine, United Help of Ukraine, Fundraiser for Sunflower of Peace and Revived Soldiers Ukraine, McClatchy News reported.
But many people say they have enjoyed booking the Airbnbs because the money goes directly to individuals.
“I did it to show support,” Tiffany Marie, who booked a two-week stay in Kharkiv, told Insider. “I had been wanting to donate but hadn’t found anything that really stuck out to me because I’m not always sure where my money goes, so I wanted to pick a specific person.”
Recognizing the trend, Airbnb is even helping out. A spokesperson for the site says it is waiving all guest and host fees, meaning the rental fees go directly to the hosts, Fortune reported.
“Feeling helpless, I booked an @Airbnb in Kiev for a stay this week knowing the money would go direct to someone there,” another renter, Kate Hutchison, said on Twitter. “There were no Airbnb fees attached.”
Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, acknowledged the trend and has retweeted many people’s posts about booking at Ukraine Airbnbs. He also said Airbnb would be suspending its operations in Russia and Belarus.
You can also donate directly on Airbnb, with the money going to the site’s emergency housing support program. As of Friday, March 4, more than 357,000 people have visited the site to donate money or have become a host for Ukrainian refugees, Fortune reported.
If you donate elsewhere, be weary of scams. The Better Business Bureau has warned Americans about “bad actors” who try to take advantage of people who want to give back, McClatchy News reported.
This story was originally published March 4, 2022 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Why are Americans booking Airbnbs in Ukraine as it’s being invaded by Russia?."