Some people believe that charities should give aid to those who need
the aid most, wherever they live. Some people believe that charity
organizations would better concentrate on people in their own countries
instead. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Concern about humanitarian assistance has been heightened in recent
years. Although it illustrates a moral ideal of mankind, many people who
hold opposing views think that the welfare of fellow citizens is the
priority. International aid has its weaknesses but its importance should
not be denied.
The main reason why international donation agencies should view
international aid from a global perspective is that their funds can help
the citizens of those recipient countries to combat poverty, disease and
inequality. We should first recognize that citizens of developing
countries are in desperate need of aid, because they are susceptible to
natural or man-made disasters such as wars. In those war-torn or
poverty-stricken countries, where resources are scanty, there is a high
demand for food, medicine tents and shelters. In addition, humanitarian
action can restore some of their basic rights, such as the right to
receive education. This is also consistent with the universal principle of
supporting vulnerable populations. Those who cannot provide financial
support can work as international volunteers and deliver services, such
as training and medical service, to those needy people.
Despite the heightened importance of international aid, people have
discovered that it is not likely to ensure the impartial and equitable
distribution of the aid. Local authorities or not-for-profit organizations
can be compassionate and altruistic but they may also use resources to
satisfy their personal interests. Since it is difficult for donors to
investigate whether their funds are mishandled, they are willing to
choose beneficiaries locally. They are willing to witness how their
donation improves beneficiaries’ living standards. In view of this fact,
humanitarian agencies and charity organizations should take steps to
increase transparency so as to convince donors that beneficiaries can
receive donations in due course.
To summarize, we should realize the implications of international aid to
those who are affected by disasters, poverty and misfortunes. Provided
that resources are used appropriately, humanitarian aid can fulfill its
mission.
In some countries, it is possible for people to buy products made in
other countries. To what extent do the benefits of this development
outweigh the problems?
As the world is increasingly globalized, the exchange of commodities
across the border is proceeding at an astounding rate. It has sparked
controversy over whether the increase in imports has adverse impacts.
From my point of view, this practice’s advantages outweigh its
disadvantages.
Importing goods can yield a number of benefits. The first benefit is that
despite the high cost of transportation, imports are competitively
priced.The main reason is that the countries that export these goods
normally have technology and professional knowledge to ensure the
goods’ quality and affordability. For example, China specializes in the
production of textile products so China-made textile products are
cheaper than local counterparts in many parts of the world. Besides,
imported goods have challenged domestic manufactures’ dominance and
intensified competition, thereby lowering product prices. It is beneficial
to domestic customers, because the cost of living will decline. It is worth
noting that food products imported from overseas can alleviate the food
shortage caused by abnormal weather. This advantage is more
pronounced in cold regions than intemperate regions.
On the other hand, the downside of importing goods is that the
excessive reliance on imports is likely to lead to the underdevelopment
of some domestic industries. For instance, many countries import
computers, resulting in domestic manufactures’ bankruptcy. This is
detrimental to the development of a self-contained economy. In addition,
transportation may create considerable pollution, especially when it
involves air freight.
It is therefore reasonable to think that the advantages of importing
