Cyclone Catastrophe in the Island Nation Unleashes a Spirit of Volunteerism

Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in memory.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a surge in community help, as citizens face what the president has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation 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."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out food aid.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer 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 "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he says.

Digital Initiatives for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers.

Another community-run website helps donors find shelters and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "unite to restore the nation".

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

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 sense of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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