Description:
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has challenged all aspects from health, economic, social, to political affairs. One of the entities also affected by the pandemic is the migrant communities or diaspora. With eight million people of the Indonesian Diaspora, along with various identities, backgrounds, and professions, has posed both challenges and opportunities for the country of origin. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi, acknowledged in her speech in August 2021 about the role of the Indonesian diaspora as part of the solution to the pandemic of COVID-19 in the country. The government expected the Indonesian diaspora could contribute to Indonesia’s economic recovery and support Indonesia’s health resilience. Despite the government’s expectations on the role and contribution of the Indonesian diaspora, it is
important to first look at the condition of the Indonesian diaspora during the pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to explore the circumstances of the Indonesian diaspora during the COVID-19 in three specific aspects: 1) the social-political engagement which
covers two types of migrant workers, ethnicities, religious knots, and family bonds, 2) digital networking aspect, and 3) the diaspora contributions to the homeland. The study is based on the research question on "How the Indonesian Diaspora maintain their identity and engagement to contribute to the homeland during COVID-19?". The study
uses a qualitative method towards the primary and secondary data. The primary data is collected through a simple survey. Meanwhile, the secondary data is collected through literature study towards academic journals, reports, books, and news articles.