Shakira Promises Aid for Earthquake-Hit Schools in Western Colombia

Bogotá, Colombia – Colombian superstar Shakira pledged support on Monday to rebuild at least 10 schools in a remote western region of her home country. Recently, this area suffered significant damage from a devastating earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives last week.

During a surprise visit to Quibdó, the capital of Colombia’s Chocó province, Shakira toured damaged schools and interacted warmly with students. Her music, including hits like “Hips Don’t Lie,” has won her worldwide fame.

The thing I worry about most is that after the emergency ends, these schools remain unreconstructed, leaving many forgotten and affected people behind, she told journalists. Our children wouldn’t be able to return to school. There’s no connectivity here, so they can’t attend school from home. Every day children don’t attend school is a day we risk their future.

Shakira was joined by Howard Buffett, son of billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett, who has previously assisted the singer in setting up schools in Chocó. Howard G. Buffett’s foundation will collaborate with Shakira’s Barefoot Foundation on this project.

I come whenever she calls, Buffett said regarding the visit. Additionally, Shakira announced that Global Citizen and Live Nation have pledged donations of $500,000 each for the cause.

On August 10, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook a broad area of western Colombia, killing at least 287 individuals and destroying over 26,000 homes, according to authorities. The government stated that 194 people remain missing, while other data puts the number over 4,100. The earthquake centered in Chocó, which is one of the poorest regions in Colombia, where approximately 3,100 homes were destroyed and more than 265 educational institutions were affected, according to the latest regional government report.

Shakira remarked on a longstanding debt Colombians owe to Chocó, stating that the region has faced abandonment, making progress difficult. Nevertheless, she believes change is possible. Her foundation has focused on providing education access to the youth for 22 years here, with two schools producing numerous graduates.

Investing in education is worthwhile, Shakira emphasized.

The area, likened in size to Switzerland, poses challenges for damage assessment due to limited communication capabilities. Few roads connect the province to the rest of the country, relying primarily on rivers and unpaved routes.

Recent government data revealed that most of Chocó’s 600,000 residents live in poverty, predominantly consisting of indigenous groups and Afro-Colombian communities.

During her visit to a high school in Quibdó, Shakira expressed heartfelt sympathy for affected families. She acknowledged the lack of immediate solutions but emphasized a concrete commitment to being there for Colombians who lost homes and schools, ensuring normalcy returns and children can attend school again.

There aren’t enough words to comfort, no magical solutions for the pain endured, Shakira stated.

The singer has long advocated for education-related causes. She announced that she plans to dedicate all efforts towards rebuilding a local technology university in Chocó.

At 49, Shakira draws significant attention both for performances and her causes. Recently, she headlined the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show, held a major concert on Copacabana Beach, Brazil, with about 2 million attendees.

Following twin earthquakes in Venezuela in June, Shakira announced a $500,000 educational recovery commitment from FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund for that country. Her announcement follows efforts by prominent Colombians and Latin American artists to aid Colombia and Venezuela.

On Sunday, singers Marc Anthony and Chayanne participated alongside numerous artists in a benefit concert in Miami to raise funds for both nations.

During her three-concert series at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, Colombian singer Karol G pledged to match fan donations to her Con Cora Foundation. She will join Maluma, Sebastián Yatra, and others for a charity concert in Bogotá this Sunday.

Last week, Colombia’s Football Federation and the South American Football Confederation committed jointly to a $1 million contribution to the ‘Colombia, a Heart’ recovery fund, initiated by Colombia’s First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda.