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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in memory.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in community help, as people face what the president 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 impacted by the disaster and a state of emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners 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 Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, activists who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn 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 took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer explains.

"We reactivated the group 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 torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team 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 notes.

Digital Initiatives for Support

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

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

Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, 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 "unite to rebuild the nation".

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the ruling party was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

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

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

"Disasters are not new to us. But, the empathy and size of our hearts is greater than the damage that occurs during a disaster."