The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) takes third place following its launch of a $500 million programme to combat food insecurity in Central America. Many Central American governments are fearful of political unrest as their impoverished populations struggle to cope with record commodity prices. The IADB is hoping to alleviate this pressure by providing Central American governments with the cash to establish 'conditional cash transfer' programmes. The programmes -- first pioneered in Mexico during the 1990s -- involve making payments to poor families on the condition that children are taken to the doctor and sent to school.

Second place goes to Argentina's farmers. According to a poll by the Argentine newspaper Clarin, this week's decision to once again halt food supplies has the support of 68.1% of the public, even though Argentina's overwhelmingly urban population stands to suffer from the resulting price hikes and food shortages. With the protestors and the government in deadlock, President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner has opted for a war of attrition. However, it is her approval ratings that have so far suffered the most, falling from over 50% in January to around 25% at present.
Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wins this week's Masterstroke. As expected, the rising price of oil has forced Indonesia to cut back on its generous fuel subsidies, provoking widespread demonstrations. However, the government has moved to counteract the worst effects of higher pump-prices by bringing in direct cash transfers for the poor. The programme will provide assistance to approximately a third of Indonesian households, and it will also pay for subsidies for the use of public transport. Assuming the protests do not escalate, the move is likely to enhance Yudhoyono's reputation among the country's poor.

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