International Organization for Migration Vilnius office (IOM Lithuania) together with the accommodation platform Airbnb helps Ukrainians and has already provided accommodation of 547 nights to war refugees from Ukraine.

"In a little more than a month, about 30 families who needed additional time to find a permanent place of residence was settled in Airbnb housing. This service is free of charge for war refugees from Ukraine. We are approached by mothers with children, elderly people who came to Lithuania and have no acquaintances or relatives here, so they need somewhere to stay as soon as they arrive," says Dalia Kedavičienė, coordinator of the Crisis Management Program of IOM Lithuania.

Airbnb apartments can be lived in from 7 to 30 days until a suitable apartment is found for a longer period. Ukrainian war refugees can contact the “Strong Together” (Stiprūs kartu) organization by short number 1808 or directly to the IOM Lithuania office: +37061516930 and e-mail by email to IOMUArent@iom.int.

International Organization for Migration and Airbnb are successfully implementing this project in 7 countries: Poland, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Lithuania. In total, more than 120 thousand overnight stays have already been granted, and more than 5,000 Ukrainians used this service.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, IOM Lithuania has been actively providing assistance to the  war refugees: it has established an emotional support line, organizes free English language courses, remote seminars where they answer topical questions related to social services or employment in Lithuania, and also provides one-time payments. After receiving funds, Ukrainian families in Lithuania will be able to cover their most basic needs.