Cyclone Catastrophe in the Island Nation Awakens a Wave of Volunteerism

Local performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have not received aid for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation 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."

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

The military has deployed 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 recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its fair share of difficulties 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 driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages 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 rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist states.

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

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

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

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

Online Initiatives for Support

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

Another community-run website helps supporters find shelters and identify what is most needed in those areas.

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

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "unite to restore the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of ignoring forecasts, 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.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of unity 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 working long hours at relief sites.

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