New Donation Button in Uber App Supports Afghan Refugees

The next time you open your Uber app to request a car you may notice a new donation button front and center. In an effort to drive funds and support to resettlement programs of the International Rescue Committee, Uber launched a new in-app donation button for all Uber app users.

Over the last few weeks around 100,000 refugees were evacuated from Afghanistan and Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, is determined to help. In a recent blog post penned by Dara, he shared his own refugee story, remembering when his family fled their home in Tehran when he was only 9 years old. Now, as the head of Uber, he is committed to donating $1 million in support of Afghan refugee resettlement programs. Uber will be working with International Rescue Committee, Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services, FWD.US, No One Left Behind, Women for Afghan Women, and Team Rubicon to distribute the $1 million and any additional raised funds to families in need.

Through these organizations, donated funds will be used to provide free rides, food deliveries, medical care, case management, and resettlement support. Further, Uber has also pledged to match all in-app donations, up to an additional $1 million. If you choose to donate you can tap on one of five monetary amounts, $5, $10, $15, $25, or $50 or you can enter in an amount of your choosing.

Apart from the monetary donations, Uber is also updating and translating the Uber Driver app and a few key support pages to Pashto and Dari. They will also be launching a dedicated phone support line in those two languages as well to help refugees access work opportunities.

In a statement, Dara said “We believe that empowering movement, whether physically, economically, or socially, changes the world for the better. Helping Afghans build a new life is part of this mission, and we will continue to support immigrants around the world who deserve the right to create a better future.”

Currently both Uber and Lyft are donating free transportation to all refugees for daily tasks such as trips to the grocery store or job interviews.