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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver 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 most severe weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as people face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that."

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

The military has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled 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 disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist 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 "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Initiatives for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to channel resources and helpers.

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

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while media outlets have initiated an campaign 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 staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the government was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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