🔗 Share this article Cyclone Catastrophe in Sri Lanka Awakens a Wave of Volunteerism See: The nation's communities under water after catastrophic flooding. Local actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to deliver essential supplies 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 most severe weather disaster in memory. Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for 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 "most challenging natural disaster" in its history. "My primary motivation for getting involved, 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." Volunteers have been taking small vessels out to rescue flood victims and deliver aid. More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced. The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and non-governmental organisations. But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent years. Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that produces meals. The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response. "People came after work, some took turns 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. At a community kitchen in Wijerama, helpers cook food for flood-affected residents. The organizer also views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country. Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the distribution of food. "Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he says. Online Campaigns for Aid A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers. Another volunteer-backed website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is in highest demand in those areas. Private companies have launched donation drives, while local television channels have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes. Facing criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation". Critics have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's impact. Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the ruling party was trying to restrict debate on the disaster. In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods. "In the end, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites. "Crises are not new to us. But, the empathy and size of our hearts is greater than the damage that occurs during a disaster."