Who is the billionaire who arrived with Shakira in Colombia to help earthquake victims?

• The surprise arrival of Shakira and billionaire Howard Buffett in Quibdó marks a turning point in the urgent recovery of Chocó after the strong earthquake.
• Both leaders joined forces with their foundations to channel massive resources aimed at building ten new schools and rescuing local education.
• The Latino community observes with hope this powerful humanitarian alliance that seeks to heal the deep wounds caused by the recent tragedy.

While the western region of Colombia attempts to rise from the rubble following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck on August 10, an unexpected and historic visit captured national and international headlines. Global superstar Shakira landed in Quibdó accompanied by influential American philanthropist Howard Graham Buffett to tour the hardest-hit areas and evaluate the severe damage to urban and school infrastructure firsthand.

During this emotional journey, the renowned artist and the businessman, son of one of the wealthiest men in the United States, wove a solid strategic alliance to jumpstart immediate reconstruction. They demonstrated that the union of philanthropic wills can make an abysmal difference for children and families who lost everything in a matter of seconds.

Who is Howard Buffett? The philanthropist who links his destiny to the social development of Colombia

Often confused with his legendary father, investor Warren Buffett, Howard Graham Buffett forged his own path by focusing his public work on agriculture, environmental conservation and philanthropy in conflict and disaster zones. Born in Omaha in 1954, he chairs the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, one of the largest private charitable organizations in the United States, through which he directs massive resources toward food security and global crisis mitigation.

 

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Furthermore, his bond with Colombia remains deep and historic; in fact, the Colombian government granted him citizenship by adoption in 2021 in recognition of his multi-million dollar social investments in humanitarian demining initiatives with the Military Forces and agricultural development projects in rural areas battered by armed conflict. Consequently, seeing him alongside Shakira for this noble cause aimed at reconstruction and education in Colombia after the earthquake felt natural.

A historic alliance to restore the educational future of Chocó children after the catastrophe

Beyond empty promises, the joint visit by Shakira and philanthropist Howard Buffett translated into concrete announcements featuring international funds provided by allied organizations to ensure no student remains without classrooms. During their walk through the severely affected campuses in Colombia, such as the Institución Educativa Colegio Carrasquilla Industrial, the singer and the renowned investor confirmed a plan focused on building ten new schools in Chocó and rescuing emblematic institutions like the Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó.

With fresh resources from Shakira’s foundation, alongside allies like Global Citizen and Live Nation, this alliance addresses a historic debt to a department long overlooked by central development. They reaffirm that education serves as the indispensable engine for the Chocoan community to regain normalcy during this reconstruction.

 

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Shakira’s firm commitment to never let go of those affected by the natural catastrophe

During her interventions before local and national media, the singer from Barranquilla emphasized that the work has only just begun and that they will remain steadfast until every child can return to school activities. Likewise, Shakira acknowledged that Colombians have a historic debt to the Chocó department, which suffered through abandonment and faces difficulty advancing toward progress.

 She expressed deep concern that once the state of emergency passes, the collapsed or affected schools might remain unreconstructed, thus preventing children from returning to their classrooms. Therefore, this historic visit alongside Howard Buffett consolidates a clear message of solidarity where active participation in the face of the earthquake, alongside global figures, drives development and the protection of children’s rights and education in the most vulnerable areas that now must face reconstruction in Colombia.