25 June 2014 – IDS announced today that new evidence shows chronically poor countries are gathering pace in tackling hunger and undernutrition.

According to new research published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), some of the poorest developing countries such as Afghanistan, Burundi and Liberia are making significant progress in their commitment to reducing hunger and undernutrition witnessed through increased action on these issues.

Launched today, the Hunger and Nutrition Commitment Index (HANCI) 2013 (click here for their website) measures political commitment to tackling hunger and undernutrition in 45 developing countries. It is an index comprising countries which have severe or extremely alarming ‘hunger’ statuses, showing levels of political commitment to tackle hunger and undernutrition in terms of policies, laws and spending. New HANCI findings show that amongst those countries currently still showing low commitment to prioritize nutrition and hunger; some are making large strides in turning this around.

As you’ll see in this graphic, THP countries score as follows:

High Commitment: Peru, Malawi (same as 2012)

Moderate Commitment: Burkina Faso, Senegal, Bangladesh, Uganda

Low Commitment: India, Benin, Ethiopia, Mozambique

(Other THP countries not listed).