Singer Beyoncé is pledging $1 million from her personal funds to help disaster relief operations in Colombia following a major earthquake earlier this month.
Her entertainment company, Parkwood Entertainment, announced the funding on Tuesday. The money will help deliver food and emergency housing supplies to regions hardest hit by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the western department of Chocó on August 10. The company also directed people wishing to assist to the official websites of Food For the Poor and World Central Kitchen.
The powerful tremor caused widespread destruction across the region. According to the Associated Press, the earthquake killed at least 312 people and destroyed 29,000 homes. Figures from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs show that 69,000 residents in Chocó—representing roughly 10 percent of the area’s population—were displaced or otherwise affected by the disaster.
Beyoncé is one of several high-profile music artists providing financial aid to the South American nation.
Colombian native Shakira met with local leadership in Chocó, including the department’s governor and mayor, to review the damage. Following the meeting, Shakira committed $1.25 million toward rebuilding damaged schools. The funding package combines $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a matching $500,000 from Live Nation, and $250,000 from CAF.
“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 in a statement. “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 $1.25 million commitment to help rebuild schools and get children back into their classrooms. Chocó is not alone. Colombia is not alone. And we will keep going.”
Other artists are contributing through private foundations and live performances. Colombian singer Karol G sent $1.2 million to victims through her charitable organization, while the band Morat plans to donate a percentage of ticket proceeds from an upcoming concert residency in Bogotá.
