Real Development Challenges

Some less economically developed countries (LEDCs) are burdened with such

huge challenges that basic survival needs are often not met. This is perhaps most

notably seen in Sub-Saharan African countries, where water supply and access

is an overbearing issue. Such problems have led to the formation of many aid

organisations from the developed world, such as Water Aid. Such organisations

have had success in providing basic needs, however many claim that problems

such as imperialism mean some schemes are actually damaging to a developing

country, and that real development steps must happen internally.

One view is that some countries are so under-developed that they do not even

meet the most basic pre-conditions needed to begin real development, and so

need an initial push to meet a standard where further development can unfold.

Such an example can be seen in the case of Sub-Saharan African countries, most

of which have very limited access to clean water in rural areas. Without sorting

out such a crucial developmental challenge, these countries cannot hope to

progress economically; lack of water, sanitation and hygiene costs Sub-Saharan

Africa more in lost GDP than the entire continent gets in aid. Furthermore,

diarrhea, caused by dirty water, is the third biggest killer of children under 5 in

Africa, meaning if there is a clean water supply, it is likely the fertility rate may

fall as mothers don’t need to have as many children to ensure survival of the

family. With fewer mouths to feed, families can focus on economic activity. These

problems have led to aid organizations such as Water Aid running programs in

such countries to successfully provide clean water. Since 2004, Water Aid has

reach...

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...t for firms in domestic environments, is leaving

many LEDC’s to deal with the problem of a devalued currency and rising interest

rates.

Overall, it is true some developing countries face huge problems which they

must first overcome to create the pre-conditions for further development,

and it is true that developed countries can offer a helping hand in this respect.

However, involvement should be limited and cautious. Many of developing

countries problems are made worse by intervention in the long-run, and so any

involvement must be carefully evaluated to take into account the possible long- term effects. Not all countries develop in the same way, and for real sustained

development, change must come from within a developing country, led by those

who know first hand what a country needs and who can develop an appropriate

framework for development.