Airbnb has teamed up with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to help strengthen emergency preparedness, response, and recovery in times of disaster.
The two parties will cooperate to facilitate infrastructure for temporary emergency housing across the Caribbean region.
The agreement comes just ahead of the hurricane season.
CDEMA is an intergovernmental agency tasked with mobilizing and coordinating the immediate response following a major disaster in the 18 participating states.
Airbnb and CDEMA will provide emergency preparedness and response educational resources to Airbnb hosts, and ensure relevant information is shared quickly with Airbnb hosts and guests in impacted areas during an emergency.
"CDEMA is committed to enhancing national and regional capacities necessary to provide an efficient and effective response after a disaster event. We note that when there is a catastrophic event, shelter becomes a huge necessity both for those displaced from the local population, visitors to the islands and for our humanitarian teams," said Ronald Jackson, executive director of CDEMA.
Following 2017’s devastating Irma and Maria hurricanes, temporary housing in affected areas was identified as one of the most vital needs in the aftermath.
Airbnb launched the Open Homes program in the Caribbean in August 2018 and will work closely with CDEMA to develop it.
