Tropical Storm Catastrophe in the Island Nation Ignites a Wave of Community Action

Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in community help, as people 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."

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

The military has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward cyclone relief.

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

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

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Online Campaigns for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a shared list to channel resources and helpers.

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

Local businesses have launched donation drives, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to limit 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," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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