Colombian superstar Shakira arrived in Quibdó this week following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia. During her visit to the provincial capital of Chocó, the musician announced a major commitment to reconstruct damaged educational infrastructure. Alongside Howard Buffett, she pledged to rebuild ten schools that were impacted by the disaster. The initiative will be carried out by her organization, Fundación Pies Descalzos, in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
Shakira addressed the urgency of the situation while meeting with students in the region, emphasizing that the long-term future of these children depends on their ability to return to a learning environment. The earthquake destroyed thousands of homes and damaged hundreds of schools across the area, leaving many communities in desperate need of aid. Access to these remote locations remains a significant hurdle due to limited road infrastructure.
Financial support for the reconstruction effort is growing. In addition to the school project, Shakira confirmed plans to focus on the restoration of a local technological university. Pledges have already arrived from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and Live Nation, with each contributing 500,000 dollars. The CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean also added 250,000 dollars to the recovery fund. These resources aim to restore normalcy for the thousands of families displaced by the tremors.
Chocó faces systemic economic challenges, with many residents living in poverty. Shakira has maintained a presence in this province for over two decades, previously operating two schools that have supported local youth. This visit highlights a broader trend of relief efforts mobilizing across the country, as artists and organizations coordinate to provide aid to earthquake-affected regions. Reconstruction of these schools represents a critical step in the recovery of a region that frequently experiences chronic underinvestment.