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

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe weather disaster in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing 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 rise in community help, as people face what national leaders 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," 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 military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being directed toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers 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 views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Digital Campaigns for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps donors find shelters and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized donation drives, while local television channels have started an campaign to provide food and essential items 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 staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

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

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

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