Singer Shakira pledged to rebuild at least 10 schools in Colombia following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that caused extensive damage in the western part of the country. The commitment was announced during an unannounced visit to Quibdó, the capital of the Chocó province, which was the epicenter of the disaster.
The earthquake occurred on August 10, affecting vast areas of western Colombia. According to official figures, the tremor resulted in at least 287 deaths and the destruction of more than 26,000 homes. The region of Chocó, one of the nation's most impoverished areas, reported that over 3,100 houses were flattened and more than 265 educational facilities were damaged.
Shakira’s charity, Fundación Pies Descalzos (the Barefoot Foundation), will partner with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to execute the reconstruction project. Philanthropist Howard Buffett accompanied the singer during her visit to survey damaged classrooms. Additionally, Shakira stated that Global Citizen and Live Nation have each pledged $500,000 toward recovery efforts, while the singer herself plans to focus personal efforts on rebuilding a technological university in Chocó.
For the residents of Chocó, the destruction of over 3,100 homes means thousands of households are currently displaced. The physical reconstruction of 10 schools and a university represents a concrete step toward restoring daily routines for students, though the timeline for completion has not yet been reported. Because the region is similar in size to Switzerland but lacks significant road connections, aid organizations noted that poor communication and reliance on waterways and unpaved routes have slowed the assessment of total damage.
The commitment from private foundations and music industry entities like Live Nation follows a broader trend of celebrity-led disaster relief in the region. Other artists, including Karol G, Maluma, and Sebastián Yatra, have scheduled a benefit concert in Bogotá this coming Sunday to raise additional funds. The long-term impact will depend on the speed of reconstruction and whether these private initiatives can address the thousands of homes and hundreds of schools that remain damaged following the August 10 tremor.
What happens next: A benefit concert featuring Maluma and other artists is scheduled for this Sunday in Bogotá. While the partnership between the Barefoot Foundation and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation has been announced, specific dates for the start of construction on the 10 schools have not been reported. Government and independent organizations continue to reconcile the differing figures regarding the number of missing persons.