Airbnb launches disaster response tool

Airbnb has launched a disaster preparedness site, Airbnb Disaster Response, which offers people a way to find shelter in case of a disaster.

The accommodation booking website used their system to help people find temporary homes for free when Hurricane Sandy hit the U.S. East Coast.

In partnership with the design consulting firm IDEO and San Francisco’s disaster relief center, the company created a tool that will help victims locate rooms in case of emergencies.

The system will launch 30 minutes after a disaster strikes and send emails to Airbnb users asking if they would like to offer free accommodation to victims. More than 1,400 Airbnb members provided their rooms for free to victims of the storm. The system is available at www.airbnb.com/disaster-response.

(wylee@heraldcorp.com)