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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

The military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

But it will be a lengthy process to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent years.

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that produces food aid.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer states.

"We mobilized our network as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also considers the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he says.

Online Campaigns for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a public database to channel resources and helpers.

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while local television channels have initiated an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Critics have accused authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, claiming that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

"Disasters are not new to us. But, the compassion and capacity of our hearts is larger than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."