Colombian singer Shakira visited Quibodó yesterday to assess damage from a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on August 10. The disaster caused significant destruction throughout the Chocó region, with nearly 200 schools reporting damage. During her visit, Shakira toured affected educational facilities and met with students, pledging substantial financial support for recovery efforts.
Through her charitable organization, Fundación Pies Descalzos, Shakira committed $1.25 million toward rebuilding ten schools and a university in the affected area. The funding comes from multiple sources, including $500,000 contributed jointly by Shakira and Live Nation, $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, and $250,000 from CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The foundation, which has operated in Chocó for over two decades, will oversee the reconstruction efforts.
Shakira emphasized the urgency of restoring educational infrastructure, noting her concern that schools might remain closed long after the immediate emergency passes. She expressed her personal commitment to helping rebuild a local technological university in the region. Billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett’s son Howard Buffett accompanied Shakira during the visit, continuing his long-standing partnership with the singer on educational initiatives throughout Colombia.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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