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Local actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the country's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as people 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," 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 announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled 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 channelled toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist 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 community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Online Campaigns for Support

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

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

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while local television channels have initiated an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

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

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to limit 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 in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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