Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.
Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.
Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.
But the deluge has also sparked a rise in community help, as citizens face what the president has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.
"The main reason for getting involved, 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 deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is arriving from international partners and aid groups.
But it will be a long journey to recovery for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.
Activists Volunteer at Community Kitchen
In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces meals.
The protests 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 a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward cyclone relief.
"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time 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 views the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.
Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, 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 says.
Online Campaigns for Support
A flurry of activity is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers.
Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find relief camps and identify what is most needed in those areas.
Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated an effort 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 political differences" and "unite to restore the nation".
Critics have accused authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.
Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.
In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods.
"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.
"Disasters are not new to us. But, the empathy and capacity of our hearts is larger than the damage that occurs during a disaster."
