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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

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

"My primary motivation for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get one meal," he shares. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced.

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 recovery for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out food aid.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being directed toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer explains.

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

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

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, 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 flurry of activity is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is most needed in those areas.

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated 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 restore the nation".

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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