🔗 Share this article

Local performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring essential supplies to those in desperate need.

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

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in community help, as people face what the president has described as the "gravest 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 so happy 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 military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist states.

"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 community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Online Initiatives for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a public database to channel resources and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have organized 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 "set aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the government 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.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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