Cyclone Disaster in the Island Nation Unleashes a Wave of Community Action

Local performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the country's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, causing 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 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," he shares. "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 state of emergency has been declared.

The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from foreign governments and aid groups.

But it will be a lengthy process to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its fair share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

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

"People 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.

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

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Online Campaigns for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and volunteers.

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized donation drives, while media outlets have initiated an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, claiming that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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