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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.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, causing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as people face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation for getting involved, 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 impacted by the disaster and a state of emergency has been declared.

The military has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a lengthy process to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties 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 meals.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even took leave to be there," one organizer explains.

"We mobilized our network 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.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

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

Online Initiatives for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers.

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

Private companies have organized donation drives, while media outlets have initiated an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout 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 begin the cleanup after the floods.

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

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