Shakira Demands Global Support for Venezuela Schools

Colombian superstar Shakira is urging more world leaders to support Venezuela’s recovery following devastating earthquakes on June 24. The artist posted a new video on Instagram on Monday, July 13, backing the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund campaign. Shakira is specifically calling on France and Germany to join efforts to rebuild destroyed schools. This initiative aims to help thousands of Venezuelan children left without classrooms after the natural disaster.

More than 430 schools were destroyed when two earthquakes struck Venezuela, leaving thousands of children without a school to return to when classes begin in September. Venezuela urgently needs resources to rebuild schools, train teachers, and provide textbooks and school supplies to students. The singer emphasized that Venezuela is not alone in this educational recovery effort. Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney have already stepped up by contributing to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

According to a statement shared with Billboard, $500,000 from the fund will be directed to organizations supporting children whose education was interrupted by the disaster. The broader campaign seeks to raise $100 million linked to the legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Shakira deeply thanked Portugal and Canada for their support, but now needs more countries to join. President Macron of France and Chancellor Merz of Germany, it’s your turn, the singer said in her urgent message.

What impact did the earthquakes have on Venezuela?

Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck western Venezuela near Caracas, causing widespread destruction in the capital and the heavily affected coastal state of La Guaira. As of July 12, the death toll had risen to 4,490, with 16,740 injured, 6,462 people rescued, and 17,907 displaced. The earthquakes occurred on June 24 and generated tsunamis that also affected Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands. Educational infrastructure was among the most damaged by the seismic activity.