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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to bring food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

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

But the deluge has also sparked a surge in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get one meal," he shares. "And I was so happy 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 sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its fair share of turmoil 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 produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist 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 "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

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

Online Initiatives for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers.

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

Private companies have launched fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Critics have accused authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's impact.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the government was trying to limit 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 satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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