People have contrasted views toward collecting humanitarian help for foreign countries’ disadvantaged people. While there might be some problems regarding the management of these aids, I believe the spirit of help and supportiveness is an ethical duty of humanity which has several benefits.
On the one hand, it is a true concern that receiver countries might spend this aid in the wrong way. Firstly, it is likely that some governments cannot determine a proper plan for these help and lose all the opportunities to overcome difficulties. For instance, back in the early 2000s, after Bam’s earthquake in Iran, although several countries sent different equipment for suffering people, it was proven that those stuffs never received to whom they should. Secondly, some governments might spend international help for devil purposes. They might spend financial aid to purchase weapons or even to increase pressure on their own political opponents.
On the other hand, helping each other as a moral duty can bring about multiple advantages. Firstly, the idea of a world without borders (i.e. globalization) means our activities can highly influence each other, therefore, helping another country will be beneficial for ourselves in the final point. For instance, consider a country that still utilizes old-fashioned machines in its industry that produces a huge amount of emissions. This country can make the entire earth warmer and threat the living circumstances for the next generations. Secondly, the support and help must not be necessarily in the form of money. For example, making the latest knowledge and modern innovation accessible for the public is a great aid for humanity. Finally, I believe that what distinguishes us from animals are some properties, including supportiveness. Therefore, it would be unethical and against humanity if we did not suffer from other people’s pain and bad circumstances.
In conclusion, I can understand why people are concerned about the way that their aid is going to be spent, but it seems to me that it is our ethical responsibility to be concerned about other people’s situations. Moreover, I believe that this intuition will be beneficial to ourselves eventually.