Shakira is giving back to her home of Colombia, following a deadly earthquake that has rocked the South American country.
The Latin pop superstar, who was born in Barranquilla, announced that she has helped raise over $1 million in relief efforts to help rebuild schools in the Chocó region after a 7.4-magnitude tremor hit on Aug. 10.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an estimated 10.5 million people were impacted by the quake. Multistory buildings and homes tumbled, trapping residents underneath. As of Sunday, Aug. 16, the death toll has climbed to approximately 290, with more than 140 people still missing and 4,200 injured, per official estimates.
In addition to the fatalities, the natural disaster has decimated Chocó's school infrastructure,
according to Shakira's announcement. Nearly 200 schools are reportedly damaged following the quake, and 40 facilities were completely destroyed.
"To the parents who lost their children, words are not enough," Shakira said in a statement. "All I can offer is my heart and the promise that their pain will never be forgotten."
The Grammy-winning singer, whose children's charity Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) has a decadeslong history in Chocó, partnered with Global Citizen's FIFA Education Fund and Live Nation to raise funds. Each organization has pledged to donate $500,000 toward disaster aid. CAF, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, donated an additional $250,000, bringing the total to $1.25 million.
Live Nation is the sponsor behind Shakira's latest tour, the globe-trotting Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.
Shakira makes surprise visit to Colombia after devastating earthquake
The "Hips Don't Lie" songstress visited Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, on Monday, Aug. 17, to survey the damage and meet with government officials to discuss the earthquake's impact.
Aside from raising money, Shakira announced during her visit that she will be leading rebuilding efforts for the Universidad Tecnológica de Quibdó, which serves as Chocó's main public higher education institution.
"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," Shakira said in a statement. "Schools are more than buildings. They give children the stability and routine they need most after a disaster. … Chocó is not alone. Colombia is not alone. And we will keep going."
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shakira makes surprise Colombia visit, helps raise $1M for earthquake relief
