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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to bring food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's worst weather disaster in recent years.

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

But the deluge has also inspired a rise in community help, as people face what the president has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation 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 announced.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being directed toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer states.

"We mobilized our network as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also considers the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

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

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

Online Campaigns 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 volunteers.

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

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

Facing criticism over the management 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 disregarding weather warnings, 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 begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

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