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

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

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, causing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and leveled 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 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 national emergency has been declared.

The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that produces meals.

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 political change. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

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

The team have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Online Campaigns for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to channel resources and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of storm readiness, 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 exacerbated 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 togetherness 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 putting in long hours at relief sites.

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