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Local performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in community help, as people face what national leaders 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 declared.

The military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out 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 exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist states.

"We mobilized our network 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 torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Digital Initiatives for Support

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

Another community-run website helps supporters find shelters and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have launched donation drives, while media outlets have started an campaign 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 political differences" and "unite 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, arguing that the government was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in 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."