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Local actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in memory.

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

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what the president 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," Mr Reginold states. "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 national emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who protested in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that churns out food aid.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even took leave 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 considers the kitchen as an "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, 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.

Online Campaigns for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to channel resources and volunteers.

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

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's impact.

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, claiming that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

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

"Disasters are not new to us. But, the compassion and capacity of our hearts is greater than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."