Shakira pledges $1.25M to rebuild Colombia schools after 7.4 earthquake

Surprise visit to Quibdó

Colombian singer Shakira visited the city of Quibdó in the western department of Chocó on 17 August 2026, touring classrooms damaged by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck one week prior. Joined by philanthropist Howard Buffett, the artist met with affected students, Quibdó Mayor Rafael Bolaños, and Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba. The visit focused on addressing educational disruption in the province, where infrastructure remains severely impaired following the 10 August disaster. Shakira emphasized the urgency of preventing long-term disruption for local children during a press briefing in the departmental capital.

What worries me most is that, after the state of emergency passes, all those schools remain unbuilt and so many people remain forgotten and affected.

Damage across the educational network

The earthquake, centered near San José del Palmar, caused widespread destruction throughout western Colombia. National reports indicate that 3,207 schools sustained structural damage across the country, with 40 schools collapsing completely in Chocó. Local authorities in Chocó confirmed damage to more than 265 educational facilities and the destruction of at least 3,100 homes. Nationwide casualty reports place the death toll between 280 and 287 people, with more than 4,000 injured and property damage exceeding $9 billion. Missing person tallies range from 143 to 194 in government reports, with some database registries recording more than 4,100 unaccounted for.

Rebuilding commitments and funding

To address the destruction, Shakira announced that her charity, Fundación Pies Descalzos, will direct the reconstruction of at least ten schools in Chocó. The foundation, which has maintained educational programs in the department for 22 years and manages two regional schools, secured an initial $1.25 million funding package for the recovery effort. The financing combines $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a matching $500,000 contribution from Live Nation, and $250,000 from the CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. Howard Buffett, whose foundation has provided $340 million for Colombian development projects since 2008, confirmed his organization will partner directly on the projects.

When she calls me, I come.

Higher education and international appeals

Beyond primary and secondary schools, Shakira announced targeted support for the Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó Diego Luis Córdoba, the main public higher education institution in the department. The university sustained significant structural impact from the tremors, threatening academic continuation for local students who transition from secondary programs. During her announcement, the singer also appealed directly to foreign governments, urging officials in Canada, Ireland, Japan, and the United Kingdom to provide bilateral aid for rebuilding Colombia's damaged educational facilities.

Schools are more than buildings. They give children the stability and routine they need most after a disaster. That's why we're making an initial $1.25 million commitment to help rebuild schools and get children back into their classrooms. Chocó is not alone. Colombia is not alone. And we will keep going.