'We could only think about saving ourselves'

Emergency posts in areas prone to flooding are usually established prior to the onset of the rainy season. They are set up in order to assist the residents whose houses are flooded. In some cases, the residents are evacuated to temporary shelters. The situation is miserable and they can certainly use help, even from strangers. Some of last year's flood victims talk to The Jakarta Post on the need for emergency posts.

Dona, 32, is a member of the staff of a company in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. She lives in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, with her family:

As far as I can remember, there was no emergency post in the area last year. The water that flooded our houses reached levels as high as one meter but we could only rely on our neighbors for help. Luckily our neighborhood is close-knit and we coped.

I think there should be an emergency post in our area this year, seeming as we are aware of the risk of flooding.

Sulam, 54, is a housewife who lives in Pondok Jaya, South Jakarta, with her five children:

Last year we could do nothing to prevent the flooding of our houses. But we were assisted by volunteers from several emergency posts in the aftermath.

Our area is susceptible to floods, so while it is not guaranteed, I hope there will be volunteers to help us again this year.

Besides which, the subdistrict administration officials will monitor the situation and warn us as early as they can.

I just hope there won't be severe floods this year.

Dayu, not his real name, 35, is a newsstand vendor in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta. He lives in Cipinang Muara, East Jakarta:

During a disaster like last year's flood, we could only think about saving ourselves. I don't even remember if there was an emergency post. But let's say there was a post, we could not rely on the staff there, as there were many others in dire need of assistance.

We contacted our neighborhood unit chief when our area was flooded. However, we owe a lot to the donors and volunteers who provided us with food.

I believe that natural disasters, like floods, are not in our hands... what can we do to alter the course of nature? The situation may seem overwhelming, but there is no alternative but to face it.

However, I hope the local authorities will establish an emergency post soon as the rainy season has already started.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.