At OYO, we are offering free accommodation to refugees fleeing Ukraine. We have thousands of homes across Europe. Starting with Poland, we have initiated concerted efforts appealing to 600 plus Belvilla home-owners on our platform in Poland, to open their holiday homes to refugees. These stays will be free for refugees who cannot pay for them, and the costs will be borne by us and our home-owners who volunteer to host refugees. We will support them administratively, and help cover operational expenses incurred.
We have also launched a fundraiser campaign encouraging everyone for voluntary donations. The funds collected through this campaign will go back to home-owners opening up their homes to refugees and non-profit organisations aiding in housing the refugees.
Donations are possible online at https://www.oyorooms.com/ukraine/.
We are encouraging not only homeowners in Poland, but also those in other European countries to open up their homes. We are also actively in conversation with non-profits organizations for partnering to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers who are fleeing Ukraine are matched with available housing facilities. Furthermore, we have written to the Polish Embassy and other embassies in India, extending our support.
Our Founder and Group CEO, Ritesh Agarwal said, “We are deeply inspired by our home- owners who are opening their homes and hearts to people in dire need. We are committed to supporting them and driving this effort in every way we can. We will continue to explore every avenue to ensure all possible support for refugees in European countries.”
He further added, “We are also in conversation with multiple organizations locally to ensure that refugees are matched with available accommodation in the region. At OYO we are also channeling resources to help raise funds for NGOs who are at the forefront of this crisis. ”
Deeply saddened by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine & the impact it has had on countless lives. My thoughts are with those impacted by this devastating crisis. In times like these we all could do our bit & here is what we are doing in Europe.
— Ritesh Agarwal (@riteshagar) March 22, 2022
In 2020 and 2021, through the COVID-19 pandemic, we had served 100,000+ room nights for healthcare workers, quarantine and self-isolation in India, USA, UK, Malaysia, Philippines and many other countries. We had also worked with government agencies, ministries and local authorities to provide accommodation support to medical first responders at affordable prices.