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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in community help, as people face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason 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 declared.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

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

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist 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 volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

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

Online Campaigns for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while media outlets have started an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "unite 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 limit debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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