IELTS Essay # 32 - Some people believe that it is impossible to help everyone in need around the world. That is why governments should only focus on helping people of their own country. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.

Essay # 32

Some people believe that it is impossible to help everyone in need around the world. That is why governments should only focus on helping people of their own country. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.

The global scenario is such that on one hand the world is becoming more and more developed and linked due to increase in trade and movement of people between countries. However, billions of people still live in poverty and are in need of help. This essay will look at the arguments for and against helping poor countries.

If we look at reasons for helping poor countries, the first reason can be a humanitarian one. It can be said it is the social duty of industrialized nations to help people in countries who are suffering from famine, drought, war, or disease. Interestingly, many rich countries also have a political or diplomatic agenda behind donating money. They want to maintain a relationship of dependency with the recipient, or simply to influence the government and direction of the country. But the fact is that the developed nations are much less than the nations needing help. The question here arises up to what extent a poor country can be helped.

Many experts opine that aid is not necessarily the best way to help a country. Many a times, billions of dollars of aid often don’t reach the needy, getting seeped off into corrupt governments and inefficient administrations. Also, many foreign aid projects are unsuitable for the target country. There are many examples in economic magazines and newspapers of aid-funded projects in Africa that failed miserably. This kind of a situation not only proves to be a setback for the poor countries, but also is a blow to the economies of the rich ones.

The statement that it is impossible to help everyone does seem true. However, it is our duty to try and make a difference. There are many other ways in which we can help poor countries. Flexing trade restrictions allowing countries can sell their goods is one way. There is a dire need of basic necessities in such countries, so awareness and facilities for say water, sanitation, hygiene and such should be deployed.

In closing I’d say, even though the richer countries seem prosperous, there is not enough money in the world for everyone. Everybody, rich or poor, needs to make do with what they have, and try to expand the resources appropriately.

(371 words)