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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to bring food and water to those in desperate need.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

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

But the flooding has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, 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 national emergency has been declared.

The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is arriving from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. 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 explains.

"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 volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed 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.

Digital Initiatives for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where social media users have created a public database to channel resources and volunteers.

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

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

Facing criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Critics have accused authorities of ignoring forecasts, 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 unity as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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