Dialogos

Insufficient State Preparedness for Civil Defense Shelters, Finds Auditor General

Published March 27, 2026, 09:03
Insufficient State Preparedness for Civil Defense Shelters, Finds Auditor General

The Auditor General's Office has identified significant weaknesses in the management and information regarding Civil Defense shelters in Cyprus. A survey conducted in March 2026 revealed inaccuracies and incomplete information in the 'SafeCY' application, as well as a lack of signage and difficulty locating the shelters. Specifically, errors were found in addresses, photos, and details of shelters in the application, and in some cases, shelters appeared in locations where they do not exist. Additionally, basic information such as the capacity or identification number of the shelters is not listed. On-site visits to 30 shelters in Nicosia showed that many have no signage at all, or the signage is unclear. The application does not provide navigation to the shelters, and there are contradictions between the information in the application and the Operations Center. The Auditor General's Office points out that the lack of coordination between responsible agencies and the use of shelters for other purposes affect the state's preparedness in the event of a crisis. The need for immediate improvement of the reliability of information, signage, and coordination for the effective protection of citizens is emphasized.