In brief
In the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah's devastation in Sri Lanka, which resulted in over 400 fatalities and widespread destruction, volunteer initiatives have emerged at the forefront of relief efforts. Community kitchens, organized by activists and local citizens, are working tirelessly to provide food and support to those impacted by the catastrophic floods. The disaster has unified the nation, inspiring a spirit of empathy and resilience that transcends political divides, as people from all walks of life come together to aid their neighbors in need.
Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring food and water to those in desperate need.
Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.
Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.
But the deluge has also inspired volunteerism among its people, as they face what their president has described as the most challenging natural disaster in its history.
The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal, Mr Reginold tells the BBC. And I was so happy that I was able to do that.
More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency.
Sri Lanka's military has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.
In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who protested against former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that churns out food aid. Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there, Sasindu Sahan Tharaka, a social media activist, tells the BBC.
A flurry of activity is also happening online, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers. Facing criticism over his handling of preparations for Cyclone Ditwah, President Dissanayake has urged Sri Lankans to set aside all political differences and come together to rebuild the nation.
In the end, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade, Mr Sahan wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.
