Foreign aid does not do any good to the

recipient countries. To what extend do you

agree with the statement?
Today, the different natural resources and economic development growth are indeed broadening the gap
between the rich and impoverished nations. Meanwhile, some developed countries spare no effort to help the
poorer by means of financial aid, employment or medical care. However, some people hold the belief that the
recipient countries could intrinsically derive little benefit from the international aid. To my point of view,
particularly, I reckon that while foreign aid can actually promote the development of recipients, they may also
suffer from some potential disadvantages.

In fact, it is rather indisputable that foreign aid generally targeted at poverty reduction, thus it not only
ameliorate the recipient nations’ conditions but also contribute to the global development instantaneously.
Particularly, international assistance can facilitate the implementation of projects which are beyond the
recipients’ capacity and help tackle their exigent problems such as natural disasters or disease leading to the
betterment in the residents’ living standard. For instance, during the Covid19 outbreak, Cuba provided
Vietnam with myriad of healthcare professionals and antiviral drug, meanwhile, its assistance was attributed
enormously to the success of Vietnam in containing the epidemic. Moreover, international aid is considered as
a peace making process which can improve the international relationship, thus, help form the foundation of
trade talks or security agreements. For example, despite several years of severed ties, US and Vietnam now
are pursuing warmer relations by means of financial aid or technical assistance.

However, foreign assistance also has negative impacts on the recipients. Firstly, in many cases, the aid is likely
to be misused because of the prevalence of bureaucracy and corruption in the poor country. In particular, the
local authorities may utilize the aid for their own means or for the political gain in lieu of enhancing the social
services or inhabitants’ living quality. Secondly, indeed, a high proportion of foreign aid is in the form of loan,
which may cripple the poorer countries through the accumulation of debt. Specifically, many wealthy nations
actually receive more in interest payments from recipients in terms of importation or consumer market than
their giving of foreign aid.

In conclusion, I believe that while international aid can benefit the recipients in certain ways, the ulterior
motive of the giver may wreak havoc on the recipient countries. Undeniably, international assistance can be
paramount to developing nations in many ways, however, they should take necessary precautions to preclude
unlooked for problems.