Lotería del Risaralda announces social aid after earthquake
Lotería del Risaralda reported on a social support network for its sales force and the general population following the earthquake on August 10, and announced that it will enable a temporary headquarters to maintain daily operations. The entity's manager, Bibiana Garcés González, expressed regret over the events and noted that the impact affects employees, the sales force, and the community in general, which she defined as its body of bettors.
The manager indicated that Governor Juan Diego Patiño Ochoa activated a direct social support route for the sales force, with the approval of food kits to be distributed among lottery vendors to help cover their daily sustenance. She also announced that the entity is preparing social outreach initiatives aimed at the community requiring priority assistance amidst the emergency. Garcés González highlighted that, so far, no fatalities have been reported among lottery vendors, nor any reports of people left homeless, a scenario she considered encouraging given the seriousness of the situation.
The entity clarified that its facilities in Pereira are structurally sound, although they cannot be used preventively until further notice, which is why it will enable a temporary headquarters to sustain operations. Meanwhile, the draw scheduled for August 14 was moved to August 21 and will take place at Lotería de Manizales, without interrupting sales. In parallel, and due to the same emergency, the regulator Coljuegos adopted temporary and exceptional measures for affected operators, and the Colombian Federation of Gaming and Chance Business Owners launched a solidarity campaign to mobilize the sector in support of those affected.
Tags: Risaralda Lottery, Bibiana Garcés González, earthquake in Colombia, Juan Diego Patiño Ochoa