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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

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.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in community help, as citizens face what the president 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," 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 state of emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, 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 turmoil in recent years.

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating 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 channelled toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time 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 "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Online Initiatives for Support

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

Another volunteer-backed website helps donors find shelters and identify what is most needed in those areas.

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

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

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

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

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

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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