The SafeCY app was officially launched on Saturday, enabling citizens to locate the nearest civil defence shelter in real time during emergencies such as war, natural disasters, or other crises. However, the app’s activation has sparked renewed concern about the state of civil defence shelters across Cyprus.
Images circulating online show basement shelters in disrepair, far from the secure spaces they are intended to be. In response, Civil Defence officials insist that efforts to upgrade and expand the network of shelters are ongoing- with notable progress in recent years.
According to Senior Civil Defence Officer Mikaella Mala, the current shelter coverage is estimated at 50% of the population. “Our goal is to reach 70% coverage,” she told Economy Today. When efforts began in 2024, that figure stood at just 30%.
However, the condition and cleanliness of existing shelters remain a major concern, and much of the responsibility falls to private property owners. “Civil Defence carries out regular inspections, especially as we aim to increase shelter numbers,” Mala said. “But cleanliness and maintenance are the owner’s responsibility. If we are alerted to a problem, we contact the owner directly and encourage appropriate action. However, we cannot intervene on private property without consent.”
The question of who covers maintenance costs is also complex. In shelters with reinforced steel doors or upgraded safety features, Civil Defence is responsible for maintaining those specific elements. However, when it comes to general building upkeep, that duty lies entirely with the property owner- who may use the space as they see fit.
By law, once notified by the authorities, an owner or building manager has 24 hours to prepare a shelter for use: ensuring it is clean, unlocked, and accessible in case of emergency.
While the SafeCY app is a promising step toward emergency preparedness, it currently lacks a feature to indicate whether a shelter is already at capacity. “Right now, we cannot know if a shelter is full or not,” said Mala. “It’s an idea we’re exploring for the future.”
As for testing the system in real-life conditions, Civil Defence conducted a shelter drill in the Latsia area in March 2025. Mala noted that the exercise offered a useful first assessment and that more actions are being considered — though nothing has yet been formally announced.
With regional instability on the rise, Cyprus’ ability to provide functional, accessible civil defence shelters is not just a technical concern- it’s a matter of public safety.
Also read: SafeCY: New app shows nearest shelter in your area
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