A person or thing that is reliant on something needs it and often cannot live or work without it. These people are not wholly reliant on Western charity see also self-reliant = dependent. dependent on someone or something reliant on/upon
If you are self-reliant, you are able to do things and make decisions by yourself, without needing other people to help you. She is intelligent and self-reliant, speaking her mind and not suffering fools gladly. = independent. able to do or decide things by yourself, without depending on the help or advice of other people