Solidarity Strengthens amid Pandemic
Solidarity has been a characteristic of Indonesian people for years. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, that solidarity has only grown into a lifestyle for citizens as they adapt to the new normal.
A buyer chooses used clothes donated by residents of RW 004 community unit, Jati Padang, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, Friday (22/5/2020).
Solidarity has been a characteristic of Indonesian people for years. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, that solidarity has only grown into a lifestyle for citizens as they adapt to the new normal.
Social solidarity is a strength of the nation. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, that solidarity has only become stronger as people adopt new habits.
Sharing and mutual assistance to relieve common burdens is in fact nothing new to Indonesia. Every time a natural disaster hits an area in Indonesia, fund-raisers are always quickly launched by individuals, communities and institutions.
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During this health crisis, the sense of solidarity is being put to a test. The appeal to maintain physical distancing in no way makes people act selfishly.
In spite of distancing and unfamiliarity, the spirit of sharing through donations remains high among members of the public. An opinion poll conducted by Kompas at the end of April recorded the extent of public enthusiasm for relieving the burden of fellow citizens by way of contributions.
Two types of aid were provided by the public. First, aid for residents economically impacted as a result of social restrictions. Almost 60 percent had extended aid to residents who had lost or were short of income due to the non-natural disaster.
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Several types of food are arranged on a free food rack in RT 001/RW 018 community unit, Menteng Asri housing complex, Menteng, Bogor city, West Java, Wednesday (20/5/2020).
There were various ways of providing donations. Some 35 percent gave basic necessities directly to impacted families. Direct aid in the form of tips or lunch boxes were also given by respondents to app-based motorcycle taxi drivers, as done by 15 percent of them.
Meanwhile, the other 12 percent donated indirectly. They provided aid in cash through printed and electronic media as well as online fund-raising websites like Kitabisa.com and Rumah Solidaritas Kemanusiaan.
The other kind of aid was meant for healthcare personnel. About two out of five respondents said they had never donated to medical personnel.
In view of the value of aid, the respondents donating to medical teams were not as high in number as those that had contributed to impacted residents, It could be due to the higher cost of aid for medical personnel and the longer time taken to procure the goods needed.
Food and nutritional supplies such as milk and vitamins were also given to support medical teams directly treating Covid-19 patients.
Of those giving donations to healthcare personnel, the majority (62 percent) provided cash, while 28 percent others chose to donate personal protective equipment to these personnel. Food and nutritional supplies such as milk and vitamins were also given to support medical teams directly treating Covid-19 patients.
With regard to donations amid the pandemic, a survey by McKinsey&Company Indonesia indicated that half of 711 respondents had donated. Their aid took the form of cash or goods and was distributed
through charity organizations or directly to impacted individuals. The survey conducted at the end of April also showed that two out of five respondents utilized their time by serving as volunteers.
A mural depicting the Garuda Pancasila bird as a symbol of the state adorns the corner of the Pondok Aren Islamic Boarding School, South Tangerang, Banten, Monday (1/6/2020).
Implementation of Pancasila
People are lending their hands for various reasons. Two out of five respondents claimed that giving aid to fellow residents in trouble constitutes a human obligation. One-fifth of respondents had empathy that prompted them to relieve the burdens of economically impacted people via their donations.
Eleven percent provided aid out of concern and sympathy upon witnessing fellow residents facing difficulties amid the pandemic. However, some respondents acknowledged that they had just followed suit.
Apart from the diverse arguments behind the respondents’ actions, the pandemic has seen the implementation the values of the state ideology, Pancasila. A publication of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) on the Commemoration of the Birth of Pancasila states that the crisis taking place at present serves as a test to ascertain if Pancasila has become a life guide for all elements of the nation. The values of the divinity, humanity, unity, democracy and social justice are manifested in actual form through actions of mutual assistance in society by way of various donations now being boosted locally as well as nationally.
One of them is the birth of a new society full of empathy, compassion and deep social solidarity.
A publication by the consulting, research and training company, Inventure Indonesia, also describes the presence of four major changes in consumer behavior amid the Covid-19 pandemic. One of them is the birth of a new society full of empathy, compassion and deep social solidarity.
Sustainable
Solidarity has been established as the nation’s identity and should be continuously preserved. Almost half of respondents surveyed were committed to keep providing donations.
Their intensity varied. Forty percent planned to donate about once to twice monthly on a routine basis. The other eight percent wanted to donate regularly more than three times per month.
The sharing facilities offered by technology make it easier for everybody to make donations. Different applications for the transfer of funds and online donation websites become the solution to keep contributing to fellow citizens impacted by the pandemic.
An officer arranges food at a public kitchen managed by the state in the Pinang district, Tangerang, Banten, Wednesday (20/5/2020).
Solidarity is likely to grow into a daily practice. It will be as simple as giving tips or extra money to app-based motorcycle taxi drivers, food sellers or other service providers.
Solidarity has proven that its sustainability knows no limit and is everlasting. (KOMPAS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
