The government has a duty to meet the basic needs of all its citizens.

needs 是名词 need 的复数形式，need 表示"需要、需求"，指人们生存或发展所必需的东西。 basic needs 指维持基本生活所必需的条件，如食物、住房、医疗等，中文常译为"基本需求"。