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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold navigates a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah struck 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 sparked a surge in volunteerism, as people 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 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 declared.

The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is arriving from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being directed toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time 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 "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains 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.

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

Digital Campaigns for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find relief camps and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while local television channels have initiated an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "unite to restore the nation".

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

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

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

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

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