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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to bring 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 South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in memory.

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

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest 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 impacted by the disaster and a state of emergency has been announced.

The military has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out food aid.

The protests 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 directed toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer 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 community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

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

Digital Initiatives for Aid

A flurry of activity 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 shelters and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized donation drives, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "come together to restore 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.

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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