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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as people face what the president 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," he shares. "And I was so happy that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that churns out food aid.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn 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 rotated shifts and some even took leave to be there," one organizer states.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also considers the kitchen as an "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

"Every request we made, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Campaigns for Aid

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

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

Private companies have launched donation drives, while local television channels have initiated 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 "set aside all divisions" and "unite to restore the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of disregarding forecasts, 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.

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

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