It comes after Mercy Baguma tragedy

Demand is soaring at a foodbank helping African and black people in Glasgow.

Hwupenyu was set up in 2014 and said demand has doubled over the last month.

It supports specific health needs of black and African refugees and asylum seekers and has branched out into supporting mental health, and cultural and social inclusion.

Binta Ditchburn, Hwupenyu women’s development worker, said: “We support anybody who is struggling; vulnerable women, elderly people, those with health issues, asylum seekers – anybody struggling because of the pandemic.”

Following the tragic death of asylum seeker Mercy Baguma, who was found in her flat in August, Hwupenyu is fundraising for a van to visit black and African communities to make sure those in need can access the charity’s support.

Her death prompted calls for changes to the UK's asylum system.

Charities who had been helping her, said she was effectively destitute as she was unable to get a job because her right to work in the UK had expired.

The organisation is hoping to take its services to those isolated in their own homes so these situations don’t happen again.

Yaa Nipah, Hwupenyu CEO, said: “What happened to Mercy is one of the issues that really got to me because I realised there are people out there who really need help and we should be able to go out there and help.

“We’d like to work with other organisations so we can make referrals for things that we can’t help them with and also help them integrate into the community knowing their rights.”