🔗 Share this article Tropical Storm Catastrophe in Sri Lanka Ignites a Wave of Volunteerism Watch: Sri Lankan communities submerged after catastrophic flooding. Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances. Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst 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 leveled 20,000 homes. But the flooding has also inspired a rise in volunteerism, as people face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history. "The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that." Volunteers have been using fishing boats out to rescue flood victims and distribute supplies. More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared. The armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups. But it will be a long journey to rebuild for Sri Lanka, which has seen its fair share of difficulties in recent years. Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that produces food aid. The demonstrations 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 a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being directed toward disaster response. "People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer states. "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 flood-affected residents. The organizer also considers the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country. Volunteers have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and organized the distribution of food. "Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes. Digital Campaigns for Support A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and volunteers. Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is most needed in those areas. Private companies 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 "set aside all political differences" and "unite to restore the nation". Critics have accused authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects. Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the ruling party was trying to limit debate on the disaster. On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people pick up the pieces after the floods. "In the end, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites. "Crises are not new to us. But, the empathy and size of our hearts is larger than the damage that occurs during a disaster."