Airbnb helps to find Urgent Accommodations after Kumamoto Quake

0 Airbnb helps to find Urgent Accommodations after Kumamoto Quake

posted by

banzaitokyo | 8 years, 10 months ago

Source: NHK

Regardless of what some of you might think of Airbnb, this is a great idea to support people who need help after big disasters:

https://www.airbnb.com/disaster/southernjapanearthquake?locale=en

Yesterday evening around 21:30 a magnitude-6.2 quake struck near Ueki, Kyushu.

A strong jolt was felt in Kumamoto Prefecture, registering a maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale.

No Tsunami warning has been issued, however nine people had been confirmed dead, and 774 injured including nine from three neighboring prefectures. A crisis management office was set up at the Prime Ministers Office soon after the earthquake.

Many buildings and residential areas are destroyed and shelters are being build for the people who lost their properties.

Airbnb now starts to connect hosts with people who need a shelter in Fukuoka City, Kumamoto and other areas in Kyushu.

Airbnb explains their service on their website:

> When disasters strike, we can activate our response tool for a designated geographic area. When the tool is activated: > > Airbnb automatically Emails hosts in the affected area, asking them if they are able to help > > Existing hosts and local residents with extra space can host those in need for free > > All Airbnb bookings in the affected area are fee-free > > All hosts have access to Airbnbs 24/7 customer support, Trust & Safety tools, Host Guarantee and other services regularly available to Airbnb hosts > > We use our networks to provide general disaster response information to guests and hosts

As we know, Japan is an earthquake-prone country and also Japan-travelers need to be aware of how to react when a disaster strikes.

Useful information on how to prepare for an earthquake can be found on the following website in 41 languages.

Find more information and updated news about the quake on NHK English website.

The post Airbnb helps to find Urgent Accommodations after Kumamoto Quake appeared first on OFJAPAN BLOG.

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