🔗 Share this article Cyclone Disaster in the Island Nation Awakens a Spirit of Community Action See: Sri Lankan communities submerged after catastrophic rains. Local actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances. Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe weather disaster in memory. Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes. But the flooding has also inspired a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders 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," Mr Reginold states. "And I was so happy that I was able to do that." Local residents have been using fishing boats out to rescue flood victims and deliver aid. More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a state of emergency has been declared. The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and non-governmental organisations. But it will be a long journey to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years. Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out food aid. The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to political change. 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," one organizer explains. "We mobilized our network as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says. At a local kitchen in Wijerama, helpers prepare meals for flood-affected residents. The organizer also views the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country. Volunteers have gathered hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and managed the distribution of food. "Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes. Digital Campaigns for Support A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to direct donations and volunteers. Another community-run website helps supporters find shelters and see what is in highest demand in those areas. Private companies have launched donation drives, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes. Facing criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "unite to restore the nation". Critics have accused authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's impact. Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the ruling party was trying to limit debate on the disaster. On the ground, however, there remains a sense of unity as people pick up the pieces 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 empathy and capacity of our hearts is larger than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."