In 2005, in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, a group of architects and design professionals organized Architects Without Borders–Oregon. Early projects included post-Katrina hurricane damage assessments for homeowners living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the design of a grade school in Bata Atha, Sri Lanka. During those initial activities, AWB-Oregon incorporated as a 501(c)3 and has since been involved in projects locally, regionally, and in approximately 20 countries around the world. AWB-Oregon also participates in competitions and conducts educational outreach, hosting speakers and partnering with universities and with AIA Oregon in design studios and charrettes.