In the contemporary era, numerous countries are experiencing rapid growth across various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, banking, and space technology. Concurrently, there exist nations where a significant portion of the population lacks access to fundamental necessities essential for survival, including food, clothing, healthcare, and clean water. Given the substantial disparities, the question arises as to whether affluent nations should be mandated to share their resources with poorer nations by providing aid such as food and education. Conversely, some argue that it is the responsibility of the governments of impoverished nations to independently cater to the needs of their citizens. This essay will evaluate both perspectives and elucidate why I firmly believe that affluent nations should collectively assist poorer populations with their essential requirements.
While powerful nations like the United States, Russia, Germany, England, and France are experiencing robust economic growth, with notable increases in gross domestic production and per capita income by an average of 5%, there are countries such as Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Madagascar, Somalia, and Burundi that are among the poorest nations, with per capita income levels comparable to the average daily expenditures of an American household. Consequently, even basic amenities like access to clean water are considered a luxury for these nations. Regrettably, the governments of these impoverished nations have struggled to generate adequate resources to develop essential infrastructure such as healthcare facilities, water supply systems, schools, and drainage systems for their citizens. Therefore, it is imperative for wealthier nations to extend support to these underprivileged nations. As a testament to this necessity, 81 nations worldwide have established the African Development Bank, a financial institution that provides support to African governments and private enterprises investing in various African countries, thereby addressing the pressing economic needs of the region.
In conclusion, the debate about whether affluent nations should bear the responsibility or whether the governments of poorer nations should independently cater to their citizens is underpinned by the reality that the governments of impoverished nations lack the financial means to adequately provide for their people. Consequently, these nations are compelled to seek assistance from wealthier developed nations, some of which have established dedicated funds to aid them in meeting their fundamental needs.