Latin Music Industry Mobilizes for Earthquake Relief in Colombia
While Colombia grapples with the aftermath of its highest-magnitude earthquake recorded in the 21st century, the music industry is mobilizing to support relief efforts. Artists in the United States and Colombia are joining forces, using their influence and music to raise funds for organizations and communities that need support in rebuilding cities and assisting families in need.
Colombian artists including Maluma, Karol G, Feid and Carlos Vives and artists from other countries such as Puerto Rico, Cuba and Venezuela are participating in events and fundraisers, or simply using their nonprofits and social media for visibility and assistance as Colombia and Venezuela recover from devastating earthquakes.
On Monday, just six weeks after Venezuela was struck by two earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude in June, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook Colombia’s Pacific Coast, with the epicenter in San José del Palmar, a city in the department of Chocó, 150 miles west of Bogotá. According to The Associated Press, as of Thursday, at least 281 people had died, 348 had been rescued, more than 3,900 had been injured, and nearly 400 remained missing. The earthquake destroyed 10,600 homes and damaged another 65,800.
Unidos Por Los Nuestros
Taking place on Sunday (Aug.16) at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Unidos Por Los Nuestros — previously promoted as Unidos por Venezuela, before Colombia’s earthquake disaster took place on Monday — the benefit concert will bring together more than 30 artists. Marc Anthony, Jay Wheeler, Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi and Gilberto Santa Rosa are among the biggest names in the lineup. The benefit concert, along with an international telethon and a global fundraising campaign, aims to raise funds for key programs such as food assistance, health care, shelters, housing, child protection, mental health, education and infrastructure reconstruction.
Karol G Raises Funds at Los Angeles Shows
Karol G launched an initiative during the Aug. 14-16 dates of her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour at SoFi Stadium to raise funds for people affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia. A QR code displayed on the concert screens invites fans to scan and donate. La Bichota promises to match every contribution through her nonprofit organization, the Con Cora Foundation.
Colombia, Medellín Te Quiere
On Saturday (Aug. 15), more than 25 artists will come together at Centro de Eventos La Macarena in Medellín, Colombia, for a benefit concert called “Colombia, Medellín Te Quiere,” or “Colombia, Medellín Loves You.” The lineup includes Kapo, Pipe Bueno and Juan Duque. The event will collect monetary donations and supplies for families affected by the earthquake.
Nicky Jam Launches “Adopta Un Hogar” Initiative
Nicky Jam and Grupo Empresarial Argos have launched “Adopta Un Hogar (Adopt a Home),” a campaign supporting the reconstruction of homes in Colombia’s hardest-hit regions. The partners will donate COP 13 billion in cement and concrete and match public contributions peso for peso, with a goal of raising COP 26 billion to rebuild or repair homes in Chocó, the Coffee Region and Valle del Cauca.
