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Colombia earthquake recovery

The aftermath of the Colombia earthquake — rescue, relief, reconstruction, and the accounting for what failed.

Shakira commits to rebuilding schools in quake-hit Chocó region

Illustration accompanying article: Shakira commits to rebuilding schools in quake-hit Chocó region
  • Shakira committed Monday to help rebuild at least 10 schools in Colombia's Chocó province after a devastating earthquake struck the region last week.
  • The singer announced the pledge during a surprise visit to Quibdó, the provincial capital, where she toured damaged schools, hugged students, and posed for photographs.
  • The Howard G. Buffett Foundation will partner with Shakira's Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) on the rebuild project.
  • Howard Buffett, son of billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett and a longtime donor to Colombia, accompanied Shakira and has previously helped her set up schools in the country.
 2026-08-18 · 3 MIN READ

Colombia rescuers race the clock as quake survival odds fall

Illustration accompanying article: Colombia rescuers race the clock as quake survival odds fall
  • Rescue teams in western Colombia are searching for survivors two days after a powerful deadly earthquake struck the region.
  • Experts say most rescues happen in the first 24 hours after a disaster, and the chances of survival drop with each day that passes.
  • Trapped victims whose injuries are not too severe can survive for a week or more, experts say, when the weather is not too hot or cold.
  • After Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami, a teenager and his 80-year-old grandmother were found alive after nine days in their flattened home.
  • In 2010, a 16-year-old Haitian girl was rescued from earthquake rubble in Port-au-Prince after 15 days.
 2026-08-12 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: 7.4-magnitude earthquake kills at least 132 in western Colombia