đź”— Share this article Tropical Storm Disaster in Sri Lanka Awakens a Spirit of Volunteerism See: Sri Lankan communities under water after catastrophic rains. Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in desperate need. Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe weather disaster in recent years. The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes. But the deluge has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, 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 ensure they get 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 deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations. But it will be a long journey to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent years. Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals. The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded 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 used vacation time to be there," one organizer explains. "We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says. At a community kitchen in Wijerama, helpers prepare meals for those displaced by water. The organizer also views the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country. The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and organized the delivery of food. "Every request we made, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he says. Digital Campaigns for Aid A flurry of activity is also happening online, where netizens 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 launched donation drives, while local television channels 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 "put aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation". Critics 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 restrict debate on the disaster. On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods. "In the end, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at aid centers. "Disasters are not new to us. But, the compassion and capacity of our hearts is greater than the damage that occurs during a disaster."