🔗 Share this article

Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in memory.

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

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, 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 national emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its fair share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People 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 considers the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

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

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

Online Campaigns for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, 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 most needed in those areas.

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "unite to restore the nation".

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

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

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

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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