Shakira, Global Citizen, Live Nation and CAF will commit an initial 1.25 million-dollar donation to help rebuild schools in Chocó 

Quibdó, Chocó,  August 17, 2026 //  Shakira visited Quibdó today alongside Howard Buffett and representatives from Fundación Pies Descalzos and CAF—the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean to stand with children, families and educators affected by the earthquake in Chocó, where nearly 200 schools have reported damage. During the visit, she met with Chocó’s Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba and Mayor Rafael Bolaños to hear firsthand about the impact of the earthquake and the urgent need to get children safely back into classrooms.
In response, Shakira announced an initial $1.25 million commitment to help rebuild schools affected by the earthquake and get children back into classrooms as quickly as possible. The commitment includes $500,000 from Shakira and Live Nation, $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, and $250.000 from CAF.

The renowned global philanthropist has just announced that, through the Howard G. Buffett foundation, he will join this initiative by donating support for the reconstruction of 10 additional schools in Chocó, Quibdó, and the surrounding rural areas.

With this, Shakira and the other partners are calling on the international community to keep joining forces for Colombia.

Schools are more than buildings. In the aftermath of a disaster, they can provide children with stability, routine and a safe place to learn while communities begin to recover. The longer children remain out of the classroom, the greater the risk that their education is permanently disrupted. Rebuilding schools and helping children return to learning will therefore be a critical part of Chocó’s recovery.

Fundación Pies Descalzos will lead the rebuilding efforts in coordination with local authorities and educational communities. For 25 years, the Foundation has worked across Colombia to build schools and expand access to quality education, and will now bring that experience to the recovery effort in Chocó.

Shakira spoke out, stating that “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,” said Shakira. “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 million commitment to help rebuild schools and get children back into classrooms. Chocó is not alone. Colombia is not alone. And we will keep going.”

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is contributing $500,000 to the initial response, building on its work to help children around the world access quality education through community-based organizations. Live Nation is matching an additional $500,000 through the Education Fund. Fundación Pies Descalzos is already a grantee of the Fund, making this new commitment an extension of an existing partnership focused on improving education for children 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, the Pies Descalzos Foundation, and Global Citizen. Our initial contribution of 250,000 dollars 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 boys and girls of Colombia can safely return to their classrooms," said Sergio Díaz-Granados, CAF's executive president. 

Chocó's recovery will be a long-term process. The organizations involved in this announcement agree that support must continue well beyond the first weeks of the emergency, when public attention fades, but the needs of affected families persist.

Open call for community organizations in Colombia

The Pies Descalzos Foundation is one of the beneficiary organizations of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative seeking to mobilize 100 million dollars to improve learning and educational outcomes for children and young people around the world.

The commitment in Chocó comes as the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund expands its work across Colombia. FThe Education Fund currently has an open call for expressions of interest from legally registered nonprofit community organizations in Colombia working to improve access to, and quality of education for children and young people ages 5 to 18. Eligible organizations can register their interest HERE.

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