REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- Social Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that poverty alleviation carried out so far has involved all parties, including central, regional, and private parties. Therefore, he called on all parties to continue to work together to alleviate poverty.

"It is all our duty," he stated at a program to provide basic food assistance to a thousand underprivileged people in Medan, which was centered at Benteng Square, North Sumatra.

Gumiwang noted that the nation today continues to struggle to overcome the problem of poverty. The results are already visible as can be seen when the poverty rate reached 9.66 percent and historically, there has been a decline in poverty, reaching one digit.

The achievement of poverty reduction is certainly not accidental or unplanned, but it is a planned effort carried out in synergy with the government, the business world, the community, and other stakeholders. Many factors support the reduction of poverty rates, one of which is the implementation of social welfare programs.