Cyclone Disaster in Sri Lanka Awakens a Spirit of Community Action

Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the country's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a surge in volunteerism, as citizens face what the president has described as the "most challenging 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 deeply gratified 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 declared.

The military has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

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

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being directed toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer explains.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team 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 Initiatives for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to channel resources and helpers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of ignoring 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 restrict debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer 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 damage that occurs during a disaster."