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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's most severe weather disaster in memory.

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

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in community help, as people face what the president has described as the "most challenging 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 affected by the disaster and a state of emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

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

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

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

"People came after work, some took turns 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 "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of requests for help, 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 notes.

Online Campaigns for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers.

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

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

Facing criticism over the handling 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 ignoring forecasts, which they say exacerbated the disaster's impact.

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

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

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer 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."