People around the world are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine. They don't plan to check in

[FM123]

(CNN) Volodymyr Bondarenko spends most of his day holed up in his apartment in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Between listening for air-raid sirens and frantically messaging family for updates, he trades messages with a flurry of Airbnb guests booking his one-bedroom rental in the heart of Ukraine's capital. Sometimes, he sends a crying emoji. Other times, the praying hands emoji. It's his way of thanking those who are booking his apartment -- even though they have no intention of ever showing up at his door.

Airbnb hosts in Ukraine are being flooded with bookings from people all over the world who have no plans to visit. It's part of a creative social media campaign to funnel money to besieged Ukrainians who need financial assistance as Russian forces bombard their country and cut off services.

snip

People are leaving messages of support for their Ukrainian hosts. The call for guests to book Airbnbs in Ukraine started online, where supporters urged people to book rooms as close to a check-in date as possible to ensure hosts receive fees quickly. Airbnb typically issues a payout about 24 hours after a guest checks in.

snip

In her booking, Daniel included a message for the host:
"I hope that you, and your lovely apartment, are safe and that this horrible war is over ... and Ukraine is safe," it said. "I will come and see you one day, please count on it, and will stay with you when we visit. God bless you and God be with you, your city, your country."
Her host, Olga Zviryanskaya, soon responded.
"We will be glad to see you in the peaceful city of Kyiv and hug," she said.

Read More: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/ukraine-airbnb-donations-cec/index.html

[Kittycatkat]

1. It's beautiful to see people finding creative ways to love

and support each other in this modern world where it's too often the oppposite.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. I wish I could do something like that, but I can't. However, I can send

a small donation from time to time to someone who can make a difference, like World Central Kitchen and others.

BTW, I'll be planting sunflowers this year. 🌻🌻🌻

[KPN]

3. On the news last night, I heard a person who had

booked Airbnb’s for Ukrainians in need of shelter say the rental was $7 per night. Also, Airbnb released a statement that they were dropping all corporate fees for Ikrainian rentals.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

[FakeNoose]

5. I hope the funds are actually received in Ukraine

I'm not sure how the transfers work, but I'd guess the Visa Credit Card system is involved. (?) I'm hoping that the international banking system supports it, otherwise the donations/bookings might never arrive for those who need them most. This is a good way to help family and friends who are trapped in Ukraine right now.

[tavernier]

6. Airbnb has a booking and/or donation website

for Ukraine refugees. I just donated via credit card.

[BlueIdaho]

7. This is genius - thanks for the heads up!

[IronLionZion]

8. Donation links

https://www.airbnb.org/help-ukraine

World Central Kitchen:
https://wck.org/news/chefs-for-ukraine

Save the Children:
https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/ukraine

[Delphinus]

9. Thank you

Will share.

[DanieRains]

10. Just rented a room downtown Kiev for 3 nights.

$43.

Message said use the money stay safe.

[Takket]

11. at the risk of drawing ire... please don't do this.

You don't know who is making those listings. A Russian troll could be listing these offers as easily as an actual Ukrainian. Or it could be some rich property owning Ukrainian who fled the country weeks ago and is on a beach sipping mai tais.

Please donate to vetted and well known relief organizations like UNICEF and the Red Cross so they can put the money to use immediately helping the refugees and victims.

Thank you.