Between November 2020 – and April 2021, through our 'Food voucher scheme', ESAS successfully identified over 150 individuals and families affected by financial hardship, poverty and destitution in Scotland. These hardships pre-existed before COVID-19 but are being exacerbated by the pandemic. We found that a large number of this community are migrants from East and Southeast Asia, many have been trafficked into the UK, some as children.

ESAS believes that the conditions in which these communities are being left is a violation of basic human rights. Although this voucher scheme offered some quick relief, we acknowledge that a lot more needs to be done, to properly alleviate the trauma, exploitation and negligence faced by these migrant communities.

ESAS believes that it is crucial that wider society is aware of the conditions in which some communities are forced to live in the UK, and that we need to do better as a society. We cannot let any human being be left behind in society, simply because of their passport, - from basic human needs. Basic needs such as food, safety, security, dignity, access to healthcare, and 'life chances'.

ESAS strives to do better for the most under-represented East and Southeast Asian communities, to help achieve better community cohesion, empathy and awareness, understanding, and accessibility. Hate crime and racism affects our ESEA migrant communities too.