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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's most severe weather disaster in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation for getting involved, 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 state of emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its 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 helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out food aid.

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

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer explains.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also views 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 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 Campaigns for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is most needed in those areas.

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's impact.

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 togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

"Crises are not new to us. But, the compassion and size of our hearts is greater than the damage that occurs during a disaster."