🔗 Share this article Tropical Storm Disaster in the Island Nation Ignites a Spirit of Volunteerism See: Sri Lankan communities submerged after devastating rains. Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need. Some of the families, he explains, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst natural catastrophe in recent years. The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes. But the flooding has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history. "The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least ensure they get one meal," Mr Reginold states. "And I was so happy that I was able to do that." Volunteers have been taking small vessels out to evacuate people and distribute supplies. More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared. The military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups. But it will be a long journey to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years. Community Organizers Pitch In at Local Food Hub In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that produces meals. The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being directed toward cyclone relief. "Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist explains. "We mobilized our network as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says. At a local kitchen in Wijerama, volunteers cook food for those displaced by water. The organizer also considers the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country. The team have gathered 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 Campaigns for Aid A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a public database to channel resources and helpers. Another volunteer-backed website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is most needed in those areas. Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes. Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "unite to restore the nation". Opposition politicians have accused authorities of ignoring forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's impact. Recently, opposition lawmakers protested 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 to save lives makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers. "Disasters are not new to us. But, the compassion and capacity of our hearts is greater than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."