The effort will be funded by Airbnb, its chief executive Brian Chesky, and donations to its charity Airbnb.org, the company said in a blog post.

“We are providing this housing through resettlement agencies and partners, who are in direct coordination with refugees and are advising on their needs for length of stay,” a company spokeswoman said.

“While we are only providing temporary (not permanent) housing, we are committed to housing these families for as long as they need.”

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last week as the United States and its allies withdrew troops from the country. The United States and its allies are racing to complete the evacuation of all foreigners and vulnerable Afghans before the expiry of an Aug. 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban.

Over the past weekend, Airbnb has worked with partners to place 165 refugees in safe housing shortly after they landed in the United States, Airbnb said.

U.S. military and coalition flights evacuated 21,600 people from Kabul in a 24-hour period since early Monday, a White House official said on Tuesday.

Reuters | Contributed

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ABC7 | Contributed

As thousands of people rush to flee Afghanistan , California Governor Gavin Newsom says they are welcome here.

The governor addressed the situation Monday at a “Vote No” on the recall rally in Northern California.

“We’re a state of refuge,” said Newsom.

Here’s a look at key events and players in the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of war.

“I’m proud of the fact over the last decade California has taken in more refugees than any other state in America, and I’m proud of the fact a disproportionate number of Afghani refugees are here in Northern California, not just here in the south, but also up in Sacramento County. We’re already working in terms of a lot of those refugees coming in and working with CBOs and non-profit organizations to make sure that they feel welcome and celebrated as members of our community,” he said.

Representative Zoe Lofgren also addressed the need to welcome those have fled.

“The governor is right, we have always stepped forward to welcome new Americans into our country and we’re stronger for it,” said Lofgren.

Crowds of Afghan civilians, desperate to escape the Taliban, were seen rushing a departing U.S. military plane, making frantic attempts to scramble onto the aircraft and even clinging onto the aircraft.

UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres told the Council all countries must be open to accepting Afghan refugees.

“We cannot and must not abandon the people of Afghanistan,” said Gutterres.

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