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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.

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

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "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 state of emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

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

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out 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 civic energy is being directed toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time 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 "extension" of his volunteer work 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 managed the distribution of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Initiatives for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

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

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects.

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

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

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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