Airbnb, LinkedIn Offer Better Solutions to Migrant Crisis Than Crippled EU

The refugee crisis that unfolded in the summer of 2015, highlighted not only the growing need of the Syrian people and others who were fleeing war-torn countries, but it also predicted the difficulties the EU would face in terms of provididing better accommodation, and employment for those arriving on its shores.

In response to this crisis, two tech companies, LinkedIn and AirBnB decided that they would be frontrunners in providing better help and care for those who needed it most. The online networking and employment site, LinkedIn decided that it would match new arrivals with companies that would be willing to employ them. 

They developed a partner site called Welcome Talent, aimed at creating a platform where newcomers and employers in Sweden can easily find each other.

In a recent interview, the company's head of global partnerships, Maryam Ghofraniha, said:

"We're really focused on using what LinkedIn is already good at."

This is not the only area that LinkedIn has become involved in. Using its assets of data and human capital, they have also taken up a matchmaking role in connecting experts with organizations involved in response to disasters such as earthquakes, when the need for professionals peaks.

"We can't respond to every single disaster that takes place every day and we're likely to get involved where LinkedIn's core strength is going to make an impact."

The silicon-valley team are making real headway and progressing in moving forward when it comes to matching the desperate need that the world seems to be facing in connection with the refugee crisis, as well as those impacted by natural disasters — and they are not the only ones.

Apartment-letting website Airbnb are also progressing in assisting refugees who are in need of a place to live, after having to flee their homes.

In 2013, Airbnb launched a tool, allowing its hosts to offer free accommodation to disaster survivors and people aiding them. It was recently used to help those affected by April's earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador.

"We try to activate it within the first 24 to 72 hours of an event, we're still working through our process because we basically want enhancements to the product," said Kellie Bentz, Airbnb's head of global disaster relief.

.@Airbnb disaster response efforts succeed by leveraging local partnerships, assets to support communities in need. #CSR #CSCinDC

— Points of Light (@PointsofLight) February 23, 2016​

The movement amongst the technology industry to help those in need of accommodation and employment is huge, as both Airbnb and LinkedIn have reached out in unique ways to offer much needed assistance to those in desperate need.