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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed 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 surge in volunteerism, as citizens face what the president 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," Mr Reginold states. "And I was so happy 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 deployed 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 share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time 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 "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

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

Digital Initiatives for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to direct donations and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have launched donation drives, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

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

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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