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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

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

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in community help, as citizens 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," Mr Reginold states. "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 military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its fair share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to political change. Now, that civic energy 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 "extension" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Digital Initiatives for Support

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

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

Private companies have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "come together to restore the nation".

Critics have accused authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

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 pick up the pieces after the floods.

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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