Shakira pledges to build 10 schools after devastating Colombia earthquake

Tuesday 18 August 2026 - 11:20

By: Azzat Manal

Shakira pledges to build 10 schools after devastating Colombia earthquake

Colombian singer Shakira has pledged to help rebuild at least 10 schools in a remote region of Colombia affected by a devastating earthquake that struck the country last week and left hundreds of people dead.

The international music star visited Quibdó, the capital of the Chocó department, on Monday to inspect damaged schools and meet students affected by the disaster. During the visit, she embraced children and posed for photographs with them while discussing the importance of restoring access to education.

Shakira said her main concern was ensuring that schools would not be forgotten once the immediate emergency had passed. She stressed that every day children remain out of school represents a lost opportunity for their education and future.

The initiative will be carried out in cooperation with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Shakira’s Barefoot Foundation, known in Spanish as Fundación Pies Descalzos. Howard Buffett, son of philanthropist and businessman Warren Buffett, accompanied the singer during her visit to the affected region.

The partnership aims to support communities whose educational infrastructure was severely damaged by the earthquake and help children return to a stable learning environment as reconstruction progresses.

The disaster struck Colombia on August 10, when a magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit the western part of the country. The epicenter was reported near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, one of Colombia’s more remote regions.

The earthquake caused extensive damage and resulted in hundreds of deaths, creating an urgent need for humanitarian assistance and the reconstruction of essential public infrastructure.

Shakira’s intervention places education at the center of the recovery effort. Rebuilding schools could provide affected communities with more than restored classrooms, helping children regain a sense of stability while supporting the longer-term recovery of families and local communities.

The project also highlights the role that philanthropic organizations and public figures can play in disaster recovery, particularly in remote areas where reconstruction can face significant logistical and financial challenges.

As Colombia continues to respond to the consequences of the earthquake, the planned school reconstruction is expected to become an important part of efforts to restore essential services and protect educational opportunities for children in Chocó.