'It was a sign that nature is angry with us'

More than one week after the tsunami ripped through Aceh and North Sumatra, the struggle is not over for survivors who shelter in refugee camps where water is still scarce and sanitation poor. The Jakarta Post asked residents of the nation's capital for their response to the catastrophe.

Andre, 32, works at a company providing automation and system integration services in Grogol, West Jakarta. He lives in Citra Garden housing estate in Cengkareng, also in West Jakarta:

What happened in Aceh was, simply put, a natural disaster. But, from a religious viewpoint, it could be a wake-up call for us not to be arrogant and always remember God Almighty.

I think we can learn from the disaster. First, of the importance of an early warning system. Though, in the past, ignorance has caused our society to neglect such warnings.

I was shocked by the magnitude of the devastation. It must be admitted that we cannot rely on our own efforts alone. We are in dire need of foreign assistance and we should not be ashamed to ask for help.

Jefry, 26, is a taxi driver. He lives with his parents in Depok:

I haven't thought so deeply about the disaster in Aceh and other parts of the world, except that nature is angry with us.

Deforestation, mining, and the erosion of beaches in many regions in the country, for example, has often landed us in trouble. It's just that we never admit to, or learn from our past mistakes.

I think it is time for us all, particularly the government, to care more about the earth we live on, and strive to be prepared for such unavoidable natural disasters.

The government can start by formulating evacuation procedures for people so that, in a disaster, they could reach a safe place provided by the government.

--The Jakarta Post