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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the country's worst weather disaster in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed 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 surge in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders 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," Mr Reginold states. "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 announced.

The military has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Local Food Hub

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even took leave 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 views the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

"Every request we made, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Campaigns for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

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 media outlets have initiated an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

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

Critics have accused authorities of disregarding forecasts, 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.

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

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

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