The reality of Eastern countries' dependence on Western nations for decades has been evident. By the time Eastern countries realized that aid was merely another word for exploitation, they were already trapped in a debt trap.
It is not that they were late to realize it but rather they just had to accept their situation because that is what was best for their country at the time. Some countries were able to recover and instead made use of their own resources to be independent but some countries failed to recover and until now continues to be dependent on far more developed countries. My country is an example. A lot of the citizens are hoping we stop being such followers of a specific country but I think due to their help we can't fully grow a spine and be independent.