🔗 Share this article

Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

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

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what the president 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," 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 humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer 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 community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

"Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he says.

Digital Initiatives for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to channel resources and volunteers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and see what is most needed in those areas.

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

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of disregarding 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.

In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

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

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