RAWCS and Airbnb.org

A partnership delivering hope when it matters most.

When disaster strikes, the immediate focus is often on saving lives and protecting communities. Yet, once the emergency has passed, many families face another daunting challenge: finding a safe place to stay.

Words Mahir Momand. National CEO. RAWCS.

Homes can be destroyed by bushfires, rendered uninhabitable by floods, or lost through other unforeseen emergencies. At these moments, secure and dignified accommodation becomes one of the most critical needs.

Recognising this challenge, Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) has entered into a partnership with Airbnb.org, creating a powerful new avenue of support for Australians affected by disasters and displacement. Through this collaboration, Rotary’s community presence and trusted volunteer network are combined with Airbnb.org’s global accommodation platform, ensuring that people in crisis can access free short-term housing when they need it most.

A natural partnership

Rotary has long been at the forefront of disaster recovery, supporting communities through bushfires, floods, cyclones, droughts and other emergencies. Across Australia, Rotary clubs are often among the first community organisations to respond, mobilising volunteers, raising funds and providing practical assistance.

Airbnb.org, the non-profit organisation founded by Airbnb, has a similarly strong commitment to supporting people during times of crisis. Since its establishment, Airbnb.org has helped provide emergency accommodation to people affected by disasters and other emergencies around the world through its network of hosts and accommodation providers.

The partnership brings together the strengths of both organisations. RAWCS and Rotary clubs have deep local knowledge and direct connections with affected communities, while Airbnb.org can rapidly facilitate access to temporary accommodation options across the country.

How the program works

Under the partnership, Rotary clubs and districts identify individuals and families who have been displaced by a declared disaster or other qualifying emergency event. RAWCS then works with Airbnb.org to facilitate accommodation support for eligible beneficiaries. If approved, Airbnb.org issues accommodation credits directly to beneficiaries, allowing them to book suitable accommodation through the Airbnb platform.

The program can provide free short-term accommodation for up to 28 days, helping families bridge the critical period between displacement and more permanent housing solutions.

The flexibility of the Airbnb platform means beneficiaries can often find accommodation that meets their unique needs, whether that involves keeping a family together, accommodating pets or remaining close to schools, workplaces and support networks.

Importantly, the program also has the capacity to support critical workers, volunteers and responders who are deployed to assist disaster-affected communities and require temporary accommodation while carrying out their essential work.

Rotary’s local impact

One of the greatest strengths of this initiative is Rotary’s extensive grassroots network. With clubs operating in communities large and small across Australia, Rotarians are uniquely positioned to identify those in need and provide a trusted pathway for assistance.

Rotarians understand their communities. They know when families have lost their homes, when elderly residents need support and when volunteers working on recovery efforts require temporary accommodation.

This local knowledge ensures that assistance reaches the people who need it most, quickly and efficiently.

The program can provide free short-term accommodation for up to 28 days, helping families bridge the critical period between displacement and more permanent housing solutions.

An additional benefit of the partnership is that it places Rotary clubs and districts at the centre of community support and recovery efforts. Because access to the Airbnb.org accommodation program is facilitated through Rotary and RAWCS, individuals and families affected by disasters are connected directly with their local Rotary club or district.

This creates meaningful opportunities for Rotarians to engage with those in need, assess local challenges and provide broader support beyond accommodation alone.

Rather than being a behind-the-scenes contributor, Rotary becomes a visible and trusted community partner, strengthening its presence, relevance and impact at the local level. As communities navigate recovery, Rotary clubs are positioned not only as providers of assistance, but as convenors, connectors and leaders in rebuilding resilience.

The partnership also reinforces Rotary’s role not just as a disaster response organisation, but as a connector of resources, relationships and practical solutions.

More than a roof overhead

Emergency accommodation is about far more than a place to sleep.

For families recovering from disaster, temporary housing provides stability, security and dignity during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. It allows children to maintain routines, parents to focus on recovery and individuals to begin rebuilding their futures.

A safe place to stay can significantly reduce stress and uncertainty, creating the foundation for longer-term recovery. Through this partnership, Rotary and Airbnb.org are helping to provide not only shelter but also hope.

Looking ahead

As Australia continues to experience increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, innovative partnerships are becoming essential. No single organisation can meet every need on its own. By working together, charities, businesses and community organisations can create solutions that are faster, more effective and more sustainable.

The RAWCS and Airbnb.org partnership is an excellent example of what can be achieved when organisations unite around a shared purpose: helping people in times
of need.

For Rotarians across Australia, this initiative offers another practical way to serve our communities, strengthen disaster resilience and demonstrate Rotary’s enduring commitment to Service Above Self.

Together, we are ensuring that when disaster strikes, nobody has to face recovery alone.