ABSTRACT Banda Aceh is a ring of disaster earthquake, because it is located on fault lines and fractures Seulimum Semangko. The devastating earthquake followed by tsunami on December 26, 2004 claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and leveled nearly all existing buildings. Meuraxa, especially the village of Ulee Lheue are coastal areas that suffered the worst damage. Earthquake which occurred on 11 April 2012 a magnitude 8.5 magnitude at 15:38 pm with a depth of 10 km in Simeulue Aceh province. According to the Rapid Assessment Team (BMKG, PUSDATIN National/BNPB, national media, PUSDALOPS regional and community responses, the results of the evaluation are still visible chaos and panic in the people of Aceh when the earthquake happened. People do disaster mitigation actions spontaneously, when it happens there are traffic jams people who died of a heart attack because of panic and fear. This study was conducted to determine and analyze the process of sorting, structuring of perception and interpretation as a process carried out in an effort to communities facing the earthquake disaster and the relation of perception with the ability of people in earthquake disaster mitigation efforts. This study uses fenomenalogi types of qualitative approach, the data collection methods with in-depth interviews, observation and triangulation. yanag public perception is analyzed in this study include: (1) the sorting process, (2) the arrangement, (3) interpretation, the concept of disaster mitigation include: (1 ) physical development, (2) awareness, (3) Increased capacity to deal with disasters. The results showed that the perception whereby the community is very proactive mitigation with the desire for socialization or training shall earthquake disaster mitigation efforts of government agencies. The ability of the community of earthquake disaster risk reduction efforts by Regulation 33 of 2006 carried out only based on previous community experience or experience other people heard. Linkages with the public perception is very significant mitigation efforts, where people who give a good perception / proactive mitigation then, active and enthusiastic community will further enhance the ability of earthquake disaster mitigation, by following the socialization or training. Expectations on the government to assist communities in improving the ability of earthquake disaster mitigation. Keywords: society, earthquake, disaster mitigation, perception, ability, Aceh.