Cypriot Authorities Acknowledge Issues with Shelters and SMS Alert System

Cypriot authorities have admitted to shortcomings in the civil shelter system and problems with the test rollout of emergency SMS alerts for the population. These issues were discussed on the "Mesimeri kai Kati" program, featuring Civil Defence head Maria Pappa.

According to her, shelters are intended only for short-term cover during emergencies, not for extended stays. Authorities are currently seeking additional locations, particularly in rural areas where suitable facilities are scarce.

It was also revealed that some shelters are located on private property and occasionally remain locked. Owners are legally required to open them to the public in the event of an alarm, and Civil Defence is already conducting inspections of such sites.

Problems were also found in the SafeCY app, which displays the nearest shelters: in some cases, locations were marked incorrectly. Data is currently being verified and corrected.

Furthermore, authorities confirmed that the test SMS broadcast experienced glitches—some citizens received messages late or not at all. A new, fully functional emergency notification service is planned for launch in June once technical issues are resolved.