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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the country's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

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

"My primary motivation for getting involved, 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 affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

The military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

But it will be a long journey to recovery for the nation, which has seen its fair share of difficulties in recent years.

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that churns out food aid.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward disaster response.

"People 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 "extension" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

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

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

Online Initiatives for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where netizens have created a shared list to channel resources and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "come together to restore the nation".

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the ruling party was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness 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 relief sites.

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