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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, he explains, have gone without help for days, cut off by the country's most severe natural catastrophe in memory.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what the president has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get one meal," he shares. "And I was deeply gratified 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 deployed helicopters for rescue operations, 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 difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist explains.

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

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

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

"Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Campaigns for Aid

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

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "come together to rebuild 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 ruling party was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a sense of unity as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

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

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