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Useful Words

1. Generous donor

2. Substantial amount of aid

3. Reluctantly agree to do smth

4. Peanuts

5. Grave political embarrassment

6. Living on the breadline

7. Seven-figure salaries

8. Altruistic motive

9. Preserving

10. Leading figure

11. Interfere in the internal affairs

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Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day,

…teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

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Let’s See How Well You Understood the Article

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Britain spends over £10 billion a year on aid to poor and developing countries, making it the second most generous donor in the world (after the USA). But just how effective is it? Some say that Britain is giving aid to the wrong countries. Incredibly, Brazil (which is now officially richer than the UK) receives money from both Britain and the -European Union, as does Russia – a country with more than 100 billionaires.

Oil-rich Nigeria is set to receive £305m of British aid in 2014-15, even though it’s got its own space programme and plans to send its first astronauts to outer space within two years. India is now the world’s fourth largest economy, with a £6 billion space programme and its own nuclear weapons but it also receives a substantial amount of aid from the UK. It has even started its own foreign aid programme, giving out to other countries more or less the same as it receives from western donors. British-financed projects have included fitting buses in the city of Bhopal with GPS satellite tracking systems – something that buses back in the UK didn’t�even have at the time!

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The situation has even become somewhat comical. Back in 2012, India’s Finance Minister said that his country didn’t require British aid describing it as “peanuts”. India even tried to terminate the aid programme – but reluctantly agreed to accept it after the British begged them to keep taking the money, The Sunday Telegraph revealed. Apparently, officials at DFID (Britain’s “Department for International Development”) told Indian officials that cancelling the programme would cause “grave political embarrassment” to Britain.

Many say that the UK simply can’t afford to give aid. With many in Britain now living on the breadline, the money is needed at home, especially as spending on the military, the police and care homes is being cut. Others say the money is wasted as it goes to corrupt officials to pay for their luxury yachts, Swiss bank accounts, Rolex watches or property portfolios. And an investigation by the Sunday Telegraph showed that a lot of aid money is used to pay expensive British consultants, some of whom earn seven-figure salaries. So, why does the UK donate so much? Prime minister, David Cameron, told world leaders at a UN conference that it was “the right thing to do”. However, others point to a less altruistic motive: by helping other countries develop, the UK can export more goods to those countries. “You only have to look at the business generated by China and India to see the potential they provide for UK companies as their export markets continue to develop,” explained Justine Greening, Britain’s international development secretary. So, aid is seen as a valuable investment in Britain’s future.

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Let’s Discuss the Article

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I don't believe in international foreign aid. There are too many corrupt leaders and organizations taking advantage of the money intended for those in need. When I volunteered in a disaster-stricken country, I saw first-hand that the funds and resources were not properly utilized and many individuals were left without any assistance.

Bekzod

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1. Can you share specific incidents from your volunteer experience that led you to believe foreign aid is ineffective due to corruption?

2. Do you think it's fair to dismiss all international foreign aid based on the actions of a few corrupt leaders and organizations?

3. What do you believe should be the role of governments, international organizations, and individuals in assisting countries in need, considering your skepticism towards international foreign aid?

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I strongly support international foreign aid. It's crucial in providing relief to countries facing natural disasters or political turmoil. My family was a recipient of foreign aid when we were affected by a devastating earthquake in our home country. Without it, we would have struggled to rebuild our lives.

Mohinabonu

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1. How did foreign aid specifically help your family and community recover from the earthquake? What aspects of the aid made the most significant difference in your lives?

2. How would you respond to critics who argue that international foreign aid creates dependency and hinders long-term development in recipient countries, based on your personal experience?

3. What measures or mechanisms do you think can be implemented to ensure effective utilization and equal distribution of foreign aid resources?

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I'm on the fence about international foreign aid. On one hand, I see the positive impact it can have on communities in need. On the other hand, I question its long-term effectiveness and whether it creates dependency. I've read conflicting reports and opinions on the topic and I'm still unsure where I stand.

Dilbar opa

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1. What positive impacts of international foreign aid have you seen that make you inclined to support it? Can you provide specific examples of successful aid projects?

2. What concerns or arguments have you come across regarding the long-term effectiveness and dependency issues related to international foreign aid?

3. Can aid be changed to involve local communities more and avoid creating dependency?

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International foreign aid is a must. How can we turn a blind eye to the suffering of our fellow human beings? We have a moral obligation to help those in need, regardless of their nationality. When I traveled to a third-world country and saw children living in extreme poverty, it broke my heart and made me realize the importance of foreign aid.

Alisher aka

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1. What specific experience in the third-world country had a profound impact on your belief in the importance of international foreign aid? How did it shape your understanding of our moral obligation to help others?

2. How would you respond to critics who argue that focusing on foreign aid neglects domestic issues? Do you think there should be a balance between assisting those abroad and addressing challenges within our own country?

3. What are some effective ways to ensure that international foreign aid reaches and benefits its intended recipients in a sustainable manner? Are there specific strategies you believe can maximize the impact of foreign aid and bring long-term improvements to the lives of those in need?

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