Tropical Storm Catastrophe in Sri Lanka Awakens a Spirit of Community Action

Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help 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, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the deluge 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 for getting involved, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "And I was deeply gratified 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 armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is arriving from international partners 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 Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out meals.

The protests from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. 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," a social media activist explains.

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

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains 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 on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps donors find shelters and identify what is most needed in those areas.

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

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

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

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

In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in 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."