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Local performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's most severe natural catastrophe in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as people 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 ensure they get one meal," he shares. "And I was so happy that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is flowing in from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that produces 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 erupted and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist explains.

"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 heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

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

"Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Initiatives for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to channel resources and helpers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized donation drives, 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 "set aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Critics have accused authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's impact.

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

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

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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