Asylum seekers rely on government subsidies in order to survive, as they are often unable to gain employment in Hong Kong. “Despite year-on-year inflation of 2.44% annually since 2015, the subsidies amount haven't changed since 2014” (Branches of Hope), so asylum seekers are unable to have enough food, water and education to thrive.

Educational support is only provided for children who are over six years old, "leaving 3-5 year-olds with no preparation in crucial areas of early childhood education such as math and phonics” (Branches of Hope). Asylum seekers do not have enough money to pay for their children to attend pre-school. 

Most families under the poverty line in Hong Kong do not have enough to eat in order to meet any nutritional values, and must rely on "less than HK$15 per meal" (Wong). A cheeseburger at McDonalds here costs $16.50. 

Asylum seekers cannot survive on such limited subsidies. We must ensure they are able to seek shelter, eat and drink, and have education, as per their basic human rights by improving the amount given to them in their subsidies!

References

Wong, Ginny. “We Tried Surviving on HK$15 per Meal for a Week: Here’s What Happened.” Young Post, 5 Feb. 2018, www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3070083/we-tried-surviving-hk15-meal-week-heres-what-happened Accessed 10 Aug. 2022.

Branches of Hope. “About Refugees.” Branches of Hope, branchesofhope.org.hk/about-refugees. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.