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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Many families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in community help, as people face what the president has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get one meal," Mr Reginold states. "And I was so happy that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a state of emergency has been declared.

The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

But it will be a lengthy process to rebuild for Sri Lanka, which has seen its fair share of difficulties in recent years.

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer states.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he says.

Online Campaigns for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to channel resources and helpers.

Another community-run website helps supporters find shelters and see what is most needed in those areas.

Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "unite to restore the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

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

In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

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

"Crises are not new to us. But, the compassion and size of our hearts is greater than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."