'Only some relief aid will reach target'

'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