Jakarta, Dec. 8 -- Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry aims to help at least 400,000 beneficiary families become economically independent next year as part of efforts to break the cycle of poverty, Minister Saifullah Yusuf said on Monday.

Yusuf told a graduation ceremony for aid recipients in Jakarta that the target marks a significant expansion from this year, when 77,000 families exited social assistance programmes after improving their livelihoods.

Graduating families were previously registered under regular social assistance schemes, including the Family Hope Program (PKH) and basic food aid.

After receiving business support and mentoring from the ministry, these households were assessed as moving up to a more independent economic ...