The involvement of international organizations in disaster relief is a prominent topic that often appears in IELTS Writing Task 2. This subject tests your ability to discuss contemporary global issues, articulate your position, and provide logical arguments and examples. In this article, we will explore this topic in-depth, presenting potential essay prompts, a sample essay, and a detailed analysis to help you sharpen your writing skills.
Potential Essay Prompts
- Some people believe that international organizations play an essential role in disaster relief efforts. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Discuss the impact of international organizations on disaster relief in developing countries. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
- International organizations often help countries affected by natural disasters. Discuss both the positive and negative effects of this assistance.
Chosen Essay Prompt
Let’s focus on the first prompt for our sample essay:
“Some people believe that international organizations play an essential role in disaster relief efforts. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
Analyzing the Essay Prompt
- Identify the keywords: “international organizations”, “disaster relief efforts”, “essential role”, “agree or disagree”.
- Task requirement: This is an opinion essay where you need to discuss your perspective on the importance of international organizations in disaster relief. You can agree completely, disagree completely, or present a balanced view.
Sample Essay
International organizations, such as the United Nations, Red Cross, and World Health Organization, are often praised for their efforts in disaster relief. Some people argue that their involvement is crucial, while others believe that local governments should handle these situations independently. I strongly agree with the former viewpoint due to their vast resources, expertise, and ability to coordinate large-scale operations.
Firstly, international organizations have access to significant resources that are often crucial in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. For example, the Red Cross has the means to quickly mobilize medical supplies, food, and temporary shelters to affected areas. This rapid response can be lifesaving, especially in regions where local infrastructure is destroyed.
Secondly, expertise is another vital asset that international organizations offer. The World Health Organization, for instance, can provide expert advice on controlling disease outbreaks that commonly follow natural disasters. These organizations often have specialized teams that are trained to deal with emergency situations, which can be more effective than local efforts.
Furthermore, the ability to coordinate large-scale operations is a key advantage of international organizations. In many cases, natural disasters affect multiple countries, requiring a collaborative response. The United Nations frequently plays a pivotal role in bringing together resources and efforts from different nations to tackle such crises. Without such coordination, individual countries may struggle to manage the relief efforts efficiently.
However, it is also important to consider the role of local governments and communities. They are familiar with the affected regions and can provide valuable insights and support that international organizations may lack. Collaboration between international organizations and local entities is therefore essential for effective disaster relief.
In conclusion, while local governments and communities play a critical role in disaster relief, the contributions of international organizations are indispensable. Their resources, expertise, and coordination capabilities significantly enhance the effectiveness of relief efforts. Therefore, I believe that international organizations indeed play an essential role in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters.
International Disaster Relief
(Word count: 316)
Writing Tips for this Topic
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Vocabulary:
- Essential: crucial or necessary
- Mobilize: to prepare and organize troops for active service
- Infrastructure: the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society
- Expertise: expert skill or knowledge in a particular field
- Coordinate: to bring the different elements of a complex activity into a harmonious or efficient relationship
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Grammar:
- Use complex sentences to show a range of grammatical structures.
- Make use of passive constructions where appropriate (e.g., “are often praised for”).
- Ensure subject-verb agreement and correct tense usage throughout your essay.
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Structure:
- Introduction: State your viewpoint clearly.
- Body paragraphs: Provide arguments and examples to support your opinion.
- Conclusion: Summarize your arguments and restate your viewpoint.
Difficult Vocabulary
- Crucial (adjective) /’kru:ʃəl/: extremely important or necessary
- Mobilize (verb) /’məʊbɪlaɪz/: prepare and organize troops for active service
- Infrastructure (noun) /’ɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/: the basic physical structures necessary for a society
- Expertise (noun) /ˌekspɜr’tiːz/: expert skill or knowledge in a particular field
- Coordination (noun) /kəʊˌɔrdɪ’neɪʃən/: the organization of different elements to work together
Conclusion
In summary, international organizations play a pivotal role in disaster relief due to their resources, expertise, and ability to coordinate large-scale operations. While local governments and communities are important, international cooperation enhances the overall effectiveness of relief efforts. Potential prompts related to this topic can help you practice and prepare for the IELTS Writing Task 2 exam. Keep practicing, and you will surely improve your writing skills.
