On Friday, Shakira revealed that the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, for which she serves as a spokesperson and advisory board member, will allocate $500,000 to support Venezuelan organizations aiding children whose education was disrupted by the catastrophic earthquakes on June 24.
The Colombian singer made this announcement via an Instagram video, detailing the intent behind the donation and urging both local organizations and international political leaders to take action.
"I'm proud to announce that the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund will provide $500,000 to assist organizations in Venezuela that help children whose schooling has been disrupted by this terrible tragedy," Shakira stated in the video.
Shakira encouraged Venezuelan local organizations to apply for this funding to help children and teachers return to classrooms and restore educational access in the affected regions.
The artist also made a direct appeal to several heads of state and government to join the initiative: Portugal's Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, France's President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany's Foreign Minister Friedrich Merz.
She noted that Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, had already "stepped up" to support the campaign, expressing hope that other leaders would follow suit.
"If you believe that every child deserves the chance to dream, join this effort," Shakira concluded, also inviting her followers to contribute with donations.
The announcement comes at a critical time for Venezuela. The dual earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck the northern part of the country on June 24, marking the worst seismic disaster in the region in over 126 years, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Both quakes occurred just 39 seconds apart, devastating primarily the state of La Guaira, north of Caracas, where hundreds of residential buildings collapsed.
As of Friday, the death toll from the twin earthquakes stood at 2,645, with over 12,600 injured, according to official Venezuelan government figures, although the UN estimates there could be as many as 50,000 missing, a figure far higher than acknowledged by the authorities.
Questions about the actual number of deaths and missing persons have increased in recent days, with citizen platforms like "Encuéntralos" recording more than 71,000 unaccounted individuals.
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is a World Cup 2026-related initiative — held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico — aiming to raise $100 million to expand access to education and soccer for children in over 200 countries. To date, it has gathered $47 million.
Shakira has a previous commitment to the fund: she will donate 100% of the profits from "Dai Dai," her official World Cup song with Burna Boy, and one dollar for every ticket sold on her U.S. tour.
The international response to the disaster has been extensive: more than 33 countries sent rescue teams, and the United States increased its aid to over $300 million, doubling the initial commitment announced by the Trump administration.
Key Questions About Shakira's Support and the Venezuelan Earthquake
What is the purpose of Shakira's $500,000 donation?
The donation aims to support Venezuelan organizations that help children whose education was interrupted by the devastating earthquakes on June 24.
How did the earthquakes on June 24 affect Venezuela?
The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, primarily affected the state of La Guaira, leading to the collapse of hundreds of residential buildings, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries.
What is the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund?
It is a fund linked to the 2026 World Cup, aimed at raising $100 million to expand educational and soccer opportunities for children in over 200 countries.
How has the international community responded to the Venezuelan disaster?
More than 33 countries have dispatched rescue teams, and the United States has increased its aid package to over $300 million.