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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping 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 worst weather disaster in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a surge in volunteerism, as citizens 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 deeply gratified 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 armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid 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 fair share of difficulties 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 produces meals.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time 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 volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

"Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Online Initiatives for Aid

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

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

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

Amid criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's impact.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the government was trying to limit 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 exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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