QUIBDÓ — An initial commitment of $1.25 million was announced for school reconstruction efforts during the visit. The funding aims to address the extensive damage to educational infrastructure caused by the seismic event that struck western Colombia one week prior.

Shakira toured damaged schools in Quibdó and met with Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba and Quibdó Mayor Rafael Bolaños during the visit. Howard Buffett accompanied her during the visit to Quibdó, where he expressed his support for the initiative.

"When she calls, I come," Howard Buffett said. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation will collaborate with her Fundación Pies Descalzos on reconstructing the schools.

Additional financial support came from several organizations. The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund pledged $500,000 toward the reconstruction effort. Live Nation pledged $500,000 toward the reconstruction effort, and CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean pledged $250,000 toward the reconstruction effort.

She emphasized the critical role of education in recovery. "What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over," she said. She noted the psychological impact of displacement on students.

"Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future," she said. She noted that educational institutions provide essential structure for children affected by disasters.

"Schools are more than buildings. They give children the stability and routine they need most after a disaster," she said. Her foundation has a long history in the region, as her Fundación Pies Descalzos has operated in Chocó for 22 years. Fundación Pies Descalzos currently runs two schools in Chocó.

She called on the governments of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and Japan to join the school rebuilding effort. She reflected on the national response to the crisis during her address. "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," she said.

Why It Matters

The destruction of educational infrastructure represents a significant portion of the overall damage from the earthquake. Over 265 educational sites were affected in Chocó, according to the regional government, and 40 schools collapsed completely in Chocó, according to Variety reporting. Across the country, 3,207 educational sites have been affected across Colombia, according to Variety reporting.

The human toll of the disaster remains severe. The earthquake killed at least 287 people, according to authorities, and destroyed more than 26,000 dwellings, according to authorities. In Chocó specifically, at least 3,100 homes were destroyed in Chocó, according to the regional government. Discrepancies exist regarding missing persons, as the government reported 194 people missing following the earthquake, while civilian-run databases reported more than 4,100 people missing following the earthquake.

Timeline

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026. The earthquake killed at least 287 people, according to authorities. The earthquake destroyed more than 26,000 dwellings, according to authorities.

At least 3,100 homes were destroyed in Chocó, according to the regional government. The government reported 194 people missing following the earthquake. Civilian-run databases reported more than 4,100 people missing following the earthquake. Additionally, 3,207 educational sites have been affected across Colombia, according to Variety reporting, and 40 schools collapsed completely in Chocó, according to Variety reporting.

What's New

Later reporting confirmed that she announced her commitment to rebuild at least 10 schools and the Technological University of Chocó in Colombia during a visit to Quibdó on August 17, 2026, following a major earthquake that struck the region on August 10, 2026. An initial commitment of $1.25 million was announced for school reconstruction efforts. She met with Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba and Quibdó Mayor Rafael Bolaños during the visit.

She stated, 'What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over,' and she pledged to dedicate her personal efforts to rebuilding the Technological University of Chocó. She called on the governments of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and Japan to join the school rebuilding effort. She said, "Schools are more than buildings. They give children the stability and routine they need most after a disaster." She 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." Additional data indicated that 3,207 educational sites have been affected across Colombia, according to Variety reporting.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the specific details of her announcement regarding the university. The primary source, and she announced she will dedicate her personal efforts to rebuilding the Technological University of Chocó Diego Luis Córdoba. Desk_web reports that she announced her commitment to rebuild at least 10 schools and the Technological University of Chocó in Colombia during a visit to Quibdó on August 17, 2026, following a major earthquake that struck the region on August 10, 2026. Sources also vary on the details of her visit. Desk_web notes that she announced her commitment to rebuild at least 10 schools and the Technological University of Chocó in Colombia during a visit to Quibdó on August 17, 2026, following a major earthquake that struck the region on August 10, 2026. Billboard.com reports that she met with Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba and Quibdó Mayor Rafael Bolaños during the visit.