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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver essential supplies 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 worst natural catastrophe in memory.

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

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as citizens face what the president has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," Mr Reginold states. "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 announced.

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

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Local Food Hub

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to a leadership shift. 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 states.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

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

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

Digital Initiatives for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers.

Another community-run website helps supporters find shelters and identify what is most needed in those areas.

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "unite to restore the nation".

Critics have accused authorities of ignoring forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to restrict 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 satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in 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."