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

Many families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a surge in community help, 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 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 affected by the disaster and a state of emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

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

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, activists who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer explains.

"We reactivated the group 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 killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled 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.

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 relief camps and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized donation drives, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "come together to restore 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, arguing that the government was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer 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 damage that occurs during a disaster."