Shakira and FIFA pledge $500,000 for education aid to children in quake‑hit Venezuela

Severe earthquakes struck Venezuela on 24 June, killing over 2,600 people and disrupting schooling for thousands of children. Colombian singer Shakira announced that the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund will allocate US$500,000 to support education initiatives for the affected youngsters. The money will be channelled to Venezuelan NGOs to restore school access, assist teachers and help children return to classrooms.

In a video posted on social media, Shakira called on world leaders – Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz – to contribute additional funds to the same education programme. Portugal later announced a donation of US$100,000 (about €87,000) to the fund.

Other artists, including Rosalía, Pearl Jam and members of Metallica’s foundation, also pledged assistance. Shakira reiterated that 100 % of the proceeds from the World Cup anthem “Dai Dai” will go to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise US$100 million for education worldwide.