Shakira to Aid in Colombian School Reconstruction After Earthquake

Colombian pop star Shakira committed to helping rebuild at least 10 schools and restoring a local university in a hard-hit area of her home country. This follows a severe earthquake that recently struck western Colombia, resulting in hundreds of deaths and affecting thousands of educational sites.

During a surprise visit to Quibdó, the capital of Chocó province, Shakira expressed concern about prolonged school closures. She stated, “Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future.” Accompanying Shakira was Howard Buffett, a prominent donor to Colombia and son of billionaire Warren Buffett. Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos, in combination with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, will spearhead the reconstruction of the schools.

Buffett remarked, “When she calls, I come,” highlighting his commitment to the cause. Alongside this effort, Shakira plans to focus her personal efforts on rebuilding a local university in Chocó. She announced funding pledges including $500,000 each from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and Live Nation, and $250,000 from the CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The earthquake, measuring 7.4 in magnitude, struck on Aug. 10 and impacted a vast region in Colombia. The death toll stands at 287 with thousands of homes destroyed. Many individuals remain missing, with varying reports on their numbers, highlighting the scale of the disaster. Chocó, one of Colombia’s poorest regions, was at the epicenter, with at least 3,100 homes and over 265 educational sites damaged.

In a video shared by Colombian news channel La FM, Shakira highlighted her long-standing connection to Chocó. Her foundation has operated in the region for 22 years, running schools where hundreds have graduated. She reiterated her commitment to seeing the area rebuilt.

The geographical isolation of Chocó, with limited roads connecting it to other parts of Colombia, has made damage assessment difficult. Most of the province’s 600,000 residents live in poverty, and the region is largely inhabited by Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.

During her visit, Shakira stated, “There is not a way to alleviate the pain of so many, but there is commitment to be here.” She emphasized the importance of supporting Chocó until normalcy returns for its residents.

Shakira, known for hits such as “Whenever, Wherever” and “La Tortura,” has consistently supported educational access and is involved in other philanthropic efforts. Recently, she announced a $500,000 commitment to education in Venezuela following earthquakes there.

In a broader context, other Latin American artists have also pledged support for earthquake relief. Marc Anthony and Chayanne participated in a Miami benefit concert, while Colombian singer Karol G is set to join a benefit concert in Bogotá.

Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Shakira’s commitment. She aims to reconstruct existing schools, not build new ones.

Gabriela Aoun Angueira reported additional coverage from San Diego.

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