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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as people face what national leaders has described as the "gravest 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 affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced.

The military has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for the nation, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

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

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to a leadership shift. 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 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 community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

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

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

Online Campaigns for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers.

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is most needed in those areas.

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

Facing 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 impact.

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

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

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

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