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Local actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Many families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

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

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest 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 affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

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

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward disaster response.

"People 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 "continuation" 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 delivery of food.

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

Digital Campaigns for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

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

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of ignoring forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

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

On the ground, however, there remains a sense 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 working long hours at relief sites.

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