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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's most severe weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

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

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "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 armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to rebuild for Sri Lanka, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent years.

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals 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 spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist states.

"We reactivated the group 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.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, 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.

Digital Campaigns for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers.

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

Private companies have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started 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 "put aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

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

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

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

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

"Crises are not new to us. But, the empathy and size of our hearts is larger than the damage that occurs during a disaster."