Cyprus authorities conduct nationwide shelter inspections amid regional tensions

Cypriot authorities, led by the Civil Defence and local government, are conducting island-wide inspections of roughly 2,500 shelters to assess their condition and preparedness. In the Paphos district, officials identified 210 shelters, 81 of which are public, with a total capacity of approximately 17,000 people. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou noted that while current shelter capacity covers less than half the population, this is consistent with international standards. Meanwhile, the Akrotiri municipal district remains under an evacuation order until March 6, with schools closed and around 250 residents receiving state and Red Cross assistance. Civil Defence advises citizens to locate their nearest shelter via the SafeCY app or by contacting operational centers. Residents are also encouraged to prepare personal emergency kits containing essential supplies, medication, and documents. Authorities clarified that recent bulk SMS alerts were part of testing procedures rather than the formal early warning system.