Cali to host ‘El Gran Abrazo’ event for earthquake relief

The event ‘El Gran Abrazo por Cali y el Valle’ will take place on October 10 at the Arena USC to provide emotional support and raise funds for families affected by the August 10 earthquake. The initiative, led by spokesperson José Fernando Patiño, aims to transform individual grief into collective community resilience through a day of conferences, music, and listening spaces.

The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.4 and an epicenter in San José del Palmar, caused significant damage in Cali. According to the Cali Mayor's Office, the city recorded 154 deaths, over 1,500 injuries, and more than 12,000 affected buildings.

The program features specialists in grief management, including Santiago Rojas, Manuela Molina, Rodrigo Zamorano, Héctor Tobo, Gonzalo Gallo, and Miguel Aguado. The event seeks to offer a safe space for those dealing with the emotional aftermath of the disaster while supporting economic reactivation for affected entrepreneurs.