Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira pledged to rebuild 10 schools in the Chocó department following a devastating earthquake [3].
Educational infrastructure is critical for the region's recovery, as the destruction of schools has left many children unable to attend classes. This initiative aims to restore stability to a community grappling with the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Shakira traveled to the epicentre of the quake in Quibdó, accompanied by philanthropist Howard Buffett [1]. The visit followed a magnitude-7.4 earthquake that struck on Aug. 10, 2024 [1, 2].
During the visit, the singer expressed her emotions regarding her return to the region. "Estoy feliz de volver," Shakira said [1].
To fund the reconstruction of the 10 schools [3], Shakira announced a donation of approximately one million [4, 5]. While some reports cite the amount as US$1,000,000 [4], others list the figure as €1,000,000 [5].
The effort focuses on the Chocó department, where the quake caused significant damage to public buildings, and homes [2]. The singer's presence in the disaster zone served to highlight the ongoing humanitarian needs of the population in Quibdó [2].
By targeting educational facilities, the project seeks to prevent long-term learning loss for the youth of Chocó. The reconstruction effort is part of a broader response to the infrastructure collapse caused by the Aug. 10 event [2].
“"Estoy feliz de volver"”
The commitment to rebuild schools in Chocó addresses a critical gap in disaster recovery where government resources may be stretched. By leveraging high-profile philanthropy, the project not only provides immediate infrastructure but also draws international attention to one of Colombia's most marginalized regions, potentially catalyzing further aid for the department's long-term reconstruction.
