Shakira, More Commit $1.25 Million to Schools After Colombia Earthquake

Shakira, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, Live Nation and CAF have announced a $1.25 million initial commitment to rebuild schools following the devastating earthquake in Colombia last week. The announcement follows a similar commitment after earthquakes ravaged Venezuela last year.

Shakira visited Quibdó on Monday alongside philanthropist Howard Buffett and representatives from CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and Fundación Pies Descalzos, following conversations with Global Citizen last week. During the visit she met with Chocó’s Governor, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, and Quibdó’s Mayor, Rafael Bolaños.

In response, an initial commitment of $1.25 million was announced to help rebuild the affected schools. The commitment includes $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a $500,000 match to the Fund from Live Nation and $250,000 from CAF. Fundación Pies Descalzos will lead the rebuilding efforts in coordination with local authorities and educational communities. The Foundation has worked in Chocó for 22 years.

Shakira called on the governments of countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Japan to join the effort to rebuild the schools affected in Colombia. In Chocó, 40 schools collapsed completely, and 3,207 have been affected across the country.

Shakira said, “These past few days, I’ve watched my country suffer, but I’ve also watched people come together with the resilience and solidarity that has always defined us. 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.”

During the visit, Shakira announced that she will personally dedicate her efforts to the reconstruction of Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó Diego Luis Córdoba, the department’s main public higher education institution, which was also affected by the earthquake.

“This university is where most of our Pies Descalzos graduates continue their higher education,” she said. “Rebuilding it means protecting the path those young people have already begun.”

To date, the Howard G Buffett Foundation has invested $340 million since 2008 to fund development programs in Colombia.

“When disaster strikes, getting children safely back into classrooms is essential to helping communities recover,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen. “Shakira and Fundación Pies Descalzos have spent decades supporting children in Colombia, and we’re proud that the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund can stand alongside them and the people of Chocó at this moment. This is an initial commitment, and we hope it will encourage others to join the recovery effort.”

“At CAF, we reaffirm our commitment to Chocó and to all of Colombia in the most difficult moments. Education is the pillar of recovery and sustainable development, which is why we support this joint effort with Shakira, Fundación Pies Descalzos and Global Citizen. Our initial contribution of $250,000 is only the first step of a commitment that must be lasting, because communities are rebuilt through the constant work of all public and private actors. At CAF, we will continue mobilizing resources so that the children of Colombia can safely return to their classrooms,” said Sergio Díaz Granados, CAF’s executive president.