All necessary measures taken, Civil Defence chief says, 2,500 shelters available
Cyprus’ Civil Defence Force has taken all necessary measures and activated its procedures following information received from the National Guard and the Administration of the British Bases through the Foreign Ministry, Civil Defence Commander Maria Papa said on Monday.
Speaking in Nicosia alongside Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou at the Interior Ministry, Papa said Civil Defence was informed by the National Guard half an hour after midnight about the incident in the area of the British Bases in Akrotiri, when a drone struck, causing minor damage in the early hours of March 2.
“In order for us to act, we must receive official information from the Army. As soon as we were informed, we began activating our forces,” she said. Teams were immediately dispatched to the Akrotiri area, where they contacted local authorities, including the mayor and deputy mayor, and communicated with the British Bases via the Foreign Ministry.
Although initial information indicated there was no danger to residents in the Akrotiri area, Papa said Civil Defence acted preventively.
“We informed both the local authorities and citizens themselves that anyone wishing to relocate as a precaution could move to the Limassol Reception and Accommodation Centre and remain there for as long as they deemed necessary,” she said.
The entire mechanism was activated to ensure the centre could safely host any citizens who chose to move. At the same time, Civil Defence teams remained in the Akrotiri area for precautionary reasons and to provide assistance to any residents who might need it.
Papa added that contact was also made with the Cyprus Red Cross to ensure that, if required, its vehicles could be made available to transport persons with disabilities and individuals from vulnerable groups facing mobility difficulties.
Responding to questions about shelter readiness, Papa said approximately 2,500 shelters are available nationwide, covering around 40% to 45% of the population. Citizens can locate the nearest shelter through the “SafeCY” mobile application, which provides real-time location-based information. They may also contact the Civil Defence Crisis Management Centre for guidance.
“If there is no shelter nearby, the safest option is to remain indoors in a solidly constructed building,” she said. “If someone is outdoors, the instructions are to lie on the ground and, if possible, take cover in a trench or ditch to protect themselves during the minutes when there may be danger.”
Public warnings, if necessary, would be issued either through locally activated sirens in affected areas, via the media, or through other available communication channels, she added.
Interior Minister Ioannou noted that for decades shelters covered only about 30% of the population. “Under the current administration, we decided to increase this number. Over the past two years we have reached 45%, with 2,500 shelters. It is an ongoing effort,” he said, acknowledging obstacles in securing private spaces for shelter use.
He added that simulation exercises were carried out last March and further drills are planned this year as part of Civil Defence Month to enhance public preparedness and response.
Ioannou also announced that, following consultations with the Town Planning and Housing Department, an order will be issued next week allowing apartment buildings to create additional underground shelter space in exchange for planning incentives, including increased building coefficients, to encourage private sector participation.