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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's most severe weather disaster in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah 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 national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get one meal," Mr Reginold states. "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 state of emergency has been announced.

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

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts 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 considers the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

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

"Every request we made, we got more than enough 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 public database to direct donations and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, while media outlets have initiated an campaign 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 political differences" and "unite to restore the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's impact.

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

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness 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 aid centers.

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