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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a rise in volunteerism, as people face what the president has described as the "gravest 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 national emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer 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 "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

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

Online Campaigns for Aid

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

Another community-run website helps supporters find shelters and identify what is most needed in those areas.

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "come together to restore the nation".

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the ruling party 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.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

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