Natalie Smolenski booked a one-night stay at an Airbnb in Ukraine on Thursday knowing full well she would never set foot in the apartment.
The Dallas resident is just one of many to join a social media-led movement to send money to Ukrainian Airbnb hosts by booking a room on the platform with no intention of staying. Airbnb has confirmed that it will temporarily waive all guest and host fees for bookings in Ukraine to help the effort.
“The appeal (was) that you give money directly to an individual. There’s no administrative overhead or anything else that you pay,” Smolenski said. “I wanted to make sure they felt supported as Ukraine goes through this very painful time.”
From Friday, more than 61,400 nights were booked in Ukraine, according to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky.
Reservations are just one way around the world are working to help the millions of Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion. Other efforts have focused on Bitcoin donationsfunding humanitarian work or soldiers and organizing temporary accommodation for refugees.
The crisis has resulted in more than 1.2 million refugees fleeing the country on Friday and the United Nations reported at least 227 civilian deaths from Tuesday, although the Ukrainian state emergency service indicates over 2,000 civilians died.
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Send money to Ukraine when booking on Airbnb
The movement gained momentum on Twitter and other social media sites this week. A tweet about the idea has over 35,000 likes and 10,000 retweets on Friday.
Jeanie McDonald from Ireland discovered the fundraising idea while browsing Instagram. She says she spent “a few hundred euros” on Airbnbs on Thursday, booking between 10 and 15 stays.
“(It’s) just a message of support from Ireland and that everyone in Ireland is thinking about and if we can help them in any way we would love to do so,” McDonald told USA TODAY. “Ireland has a history of a lot of people from Eastern Europe who have settled here over the past 20, 30 years. So it means a lot to us that if we can help them again we would be delighted to do.”
Eva Mars from Spain received a message from a Ukrainian host after booking an overnight stay on her listing: “Thank you so much for your support… what is happening in Kharkov is terrible hell, we are crying without stop.”
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“All of us people doing this just feel hopeless and helpless. Because everyone wants to help,” Mars said. “So doing those little things makes you feel a little bit better.”
McDonald’s and Smolenski both noted that reservations are already going fast in some parts of the country.
How to avoid a potential scam
As with any fundraiser or charity, experts warn that people should do their due diligence before sending money.
“You really need to be sure who the recipient of the funds transfer is,” said Marti DeLiema, research assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities School of Social Work. “Any account could be created fraudulently by fraudulent criminals looking to take advantage of a global crisis. This happens whenever there is a natural disaster, pandemic or refugee crisis.”
law professor at Notre Dame Lloyd Hitoshi Mayer However, he said he saw value in giving directly to the people of Ukraine and believed the risk of fraud was low on the Airbnb platform.
“These are rentals established long before the current crisis. It seems that Ukrainians get money very quickly. … There are some drawbacks, however,” he said. “You could give to people who don’t need it as much as others. … It may not be as useful as donating it to a charity that can provide water, medical supplies and other necessities to people who really need them.
He advised researching the host before sending money to make sure it is a trustworthy account that is not managed by a company.
Many Airbnb users noted that they took the time to ensure they sent their money to a legitimate account belonging to a Ukrainian host. McDonald’s suggests looking at reviews carefully before booking a stay. Laura Fitton, who is an Airbnb host in Boston, recommends only sending money to accounts that were active before the invasion and contacting the host before booking.
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“I think it’s a fantastic way to make sure the money gets straight to people,” McDonald said. “Charities are amazing, but there can be a delay in trying to help people directly. Just the fact that I know these people benefit really means a lot.”
Some users noted that this would be an easy way to send help through Airbnb remaining gift cards or credits. Fitton also noted that it’s an easy way for Airbnb Superhosts to spend unused vouchers.
“It’s the least we can do,” she said.
The move comes shortly after Airbnb announced it was working with the nonprofit Airbnb.org and hosts to shelter up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine for free. The company has so far received more than 357,000 visitors to the page, spokeswoman Liz DeBold Fusco said Thursday.
“We are so touched by the inspiring generosity of our community at this time of crisis,” DeBold Fusco said in an email. “We also encourage anyone interested in getting involved with Airbnb.org to go to airbnb.org/help-ukraineand support Airbnb.org’s initiative to provide housing for refugees fleeing Ukraine by becoming a Host or making a donation.”
Airbnb CEO Chesky also announced on Thursday that the company suspend all operations in Russia and Belarus.
Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz.
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