A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Colombia's Pacific Coast on Monday, and Latin music artists on both sides of the Atlantic have moved quickly to raise money for survivors. The quake, centered in San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, is the highest-magnitude earthquake recorded in Colombia in the 21st century. It struck just six weeks after Venezuela was hit by two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude in June.
According to Billboard, 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. Civilian databases listed more than 4,200 people as missing. The quake destroyed 10,600 homes and damaged another 65,800. Rescue efforts continued into Friday, though the likelihood of finding survivors was declining.
Colombian artists including Shakira, Camilo, Greeicy, and Maluma spoke out on social media after Monday's earthquake to raise awareness and offer support. Others are participating directly in fundraising events this weekend.
The largest event in the United States is Unidos Por Los Nuestros, a benefit concert taking place Sunday at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The event, which was originally promoted as Unidos por Venezuela before Monday's earthquake expanded the scope of the crisis, will now raise funds for victims of both countries. More than 30 artists are on the lineup. Marc Anthony, Jay Wheeler, Ricardo Montaner, Luis Fonsi, and Gilberto Santa Rosa are among the headliners. The concert will be available at 6 p.m. ET and PT and 5 p.m. CT across platforms including Univision and ViX.
The concert is part of a larger effort that includes an international telethon and a global fundraising campaign. The funds are targeted toward food assistance, health care, shelters, housing, child protection, mental health, education, and infrastructure reconstruction.
In Colombia itself, a separate concert called Colombia, Medellín Te Quiere, which translates to Colombia, Medellín Loves You, is taking place Saturday at Centro de Eventos La Macarena in Medellín. More than 25 artists are scheduled to perform, including Kapo, Pipe Bueno, and Juan Duque. One hundred percent of ticket proceeds will go directly to disaster victims, and the event will also collect monetary donations and supplies for affected families.
Later in the month, a separate benefit concert called A Concert for Venezuela is scheduled for August 23 in Los Angeles, according to Billboard's music industry events calendar.
Colombian artists with large international profiles, including Karol G, Feid, and Carlos Vives, are also participating in fundraising initiatives. Artists from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Venezuela have joined the relief effort as well, using their nonprofits and social media platforms to raise visibility and direct assistance to affected communities.
