{
  "id": 1612730,
  "title": "Shakira makes surprise visit to earthquake-damaged Colombian schools and says she will help rebuild",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/shakira-makes-surprise-visit-to-earthquake-damaged-colombian-schools",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T02:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/shakira-colombia-earthquake-venezuela-choco-24d2e17840e954c9a27309dda28f526c"
  },
  "original_language": "es",
  "account": "Colombian pop star Shakira made a surprise visit to earthquake-stricken schools in western Colombia on Monday, pledging her support to rebuild at least ten institutions damaged by a devastating 7.4 magnitude quake that struck the region last week. The singer, known for her hit song \"Hips Don’t Lie,\" toured the affected areas in Quibdó, the capital of Chocó province, where she interacted with students, hugged them, and captured photos, expressing her concern that schools would not be rebuilt once the emergency period ended. Shakira emphasized that each day children missed school, they missed a chance to shape their future. Accompanied by Howard Buffett, son of philanthropist Warren Buffett, who has previously aided Shakira in establishing schools in Colombia, she announced that the Howard G. Buffett Foundation would partner with her Fundación Pies Descalzos on the initiative. Additionally, Global Citizen and Live Nation committed $500,000 each to the cause. The earthquake, which occurred on August 10, claimed at least 287 lives and destroyed over 26,000 homes, while civilian records suggest the death toll could exceed 4,100. The epicenter was in Chocó, a region plagued by poverty, where at least 3,100 houses were obliterated and more than 265 schools were affected, according to the most recent government report.",
  "summary": "BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombian superstar Shakira committed Monday to help rebuild at least 10 schools in a remote and hard-hit region of her home country after it…",
  "key_points": [
    "Colombian pop star Shakira visited earthquake-damaged schools in Quibdó, Chocó province.",
    "She pledged support to rebuild at least ten institutions damaged by 7.4 magnitude quake.",
    "Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Global Citizen committed $500,000 each for the cause."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Shakira's visit and pledge to help rebuild schools in earthquake-damaged areas signals a boost to recovery efforts and ensures continued education for affected children, with significant financial backing from committed partners.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Shakira makes surprise visit to earthquake-damaged Colombia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/shakira-makes-surprise-visit-to-earthquake-damaged-colombia",
        "published": "2026-08-18T02:47:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}