JAKARTA – That afternoon, Friday (August 29, 2025), the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters area was filled with thousands of people. Shouts mingled with chants of struggle, while smoke from burning objects occasionally filled the air. The actions of the authorities and the pushing of the crowd made the situation even more tense.
Amidst the chaos, a white ambulance with the green Dompet Dhuafa logo quickly opened its doors. Volunteers ran, carrying oxygen tanks and cans and first aid kits. A protester who was staggering due to breathing difficulties caused by exposure to tear gas was immediately treated with care.
“Our focus is simple: to provide assistance to those in need. We help anyone who needs it, regardless of whether they are protesters or security forces,” said Eka Suwandi, Dompet Dhuafa’s Humanitarian Response Field Coordinator.
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That day, Dompet Dhuafa deployed 15 field personnel, complete with two ambulances, medical personnel, and humanitarian volunteers. Emergency services were provided quickly to treat eye irritation, minor injuries caused by collisions, and to provide first aid to those who fell due to exhaustion.
Not only that, the team also distributed food and drinks to those who were still holding out in the scorching heat and smoke. This simple gesture made many participants feel cared for, as if there were hands ready to embrace them in their difficult situation.
The dedication of the volunteers did not stop when night fell. Until midnight and even early morning, Dompet Dhuafa ambulances were still on standby, serving anyone who needed help. The atmosphere of the action, which had not yet completely subsided, meant that the team had to remain on alert, monitoring developments and ensuring they were ready to return if the situation heated up again.
The situation on the ground is not always easy. Dompet Dhuafa has had to relocate several times, adjusting to the dynamics between the authorities and the masses. However, their spirit of helping others on humanitarian grounds has never wavered.
For Dompet Dhuafa, being present in the midst of mass actions is not about politics, but about humanity. Because behind the banners, chants, and police barricades, there are people who are very likely to be injured, fall, or even lose their lives.
“May everyone return safely. We believe that Indonesia will continue to be protected by Allah SWT, and insha’Allah, it will rise as a more just, peaceful, and prosperous nation,” concluded Eka with a prayer. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Riza Muthohar, Arifian Fajar Putera
Editor: Dhika