🔗 Share this article Tropical Storm Disaster in Sri Lanka Awakens a Wave of Community Action See: Sri Lankan communities under water after devastating rains. Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances. Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the country's worst weather disaster in recent years. Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes. But the flooding has also inspired a surge in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history. "The main reason 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." Local residents have been taking small vessels out to rescue flood victims and distribute supplies. More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced. The armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is arriving 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. Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who protested in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that produces meals. The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being directed toward disaster response. "People came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer states. "We mobilized our network as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says. At a local kitchen in Wijerama, helpers cook food for those displaced by water. The organizer also considers the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work 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 distribution of food. "Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes. Digital Campaigns for Aid A flurry of activity is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers. Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find relief camps 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. Facing criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "unite to restore the nation". Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's impact. Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the government was trying to limit debate on the disaster. In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of unity as people pick up the pieces after the floods. "In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers. "Disasters are not new to us. But, the empathy and size of our hearts is greater than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."