'Only some relief aid will reach target'

Indonesians and people from around the world have donated millions of U.S. dollars for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh and North Sumatra. The Jakarta Post asked residents if they thought this money would ever reach the victims.

Hartoto, 33, is a storage supervisor for a company in Kedoya, West Jakarta. He lives with his wife near his office.

I heard that some of the aid for the victims of the tsunami had been stolen by unscrupulous officials. That's terrible. I doubt the devastated areas will enjoy a speedy recovery because the bulk of the aid will probably fail to reach them.

Worse still, the number of people willing to send aid to the victims is getting smaller by the day. In the first few days after the disaster, people were eager to hear about the latest developments. But after two weeks of constant coverage by the media, people are beginning to change the channel to entertaining programs, a sign that they are getting bored with reports on the disaster.

Syanty M.F. Syahril, 29, is an activist with an environmental organization in Kebayoran Baru. She lives in Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta:

Like other people, I am shocked by this tragedy that killed so many people. I cannot say much about it.

For me, the tragedy is a lesson from God. I believe that it is a warning to those who are still alive that we cannot do anything to prevent such natural disasters if He decides to make them happen. Therefore, we must look at ourselves.

On the other hand, it is time for us to show our solidarity with the victims who have lost everything by delivering aid to help ease their burden.

I also call on the government to establish a warning system to minimize the deaths and financial losses from future disasters. We still do not have a proper disaster warning system.

--The Jakarta Post