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Sri Lankan actor and musician 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, he explains, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds missing 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 "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get one meal," he shares. "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 armed forces has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward cyclone relief.

"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 "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

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

Digital Initiatives for Aid

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

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and see what is most needed in those areas.

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

Facing criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of ignoring forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to limit 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 aid centers.

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