The Cypriot government has announced the launch of a new mobile app called SafeCY.
Now, residents of the island can quickly find the nearest shelters in emergency situations.
The program is part of a large-scale initiative to modernize the civil defense and public warning systems. SafeCY is available for free download on iOS and Android. The app has a Greek and English interface, making it accessible to a wide audience, including foreign residents and tourists. SafeCY uses the device's GPS data to show users the nearest shelters and safe points in real time. Manual searches by address, index, or location are also available, providing convenience even when geolocation is disabled. In addition to navigation, the app contains detailed emergency instructions, including recommendations for assembling an emergency kit and rules of conduct when alarm signals sound.
The Cyprus Ministry of Interior coordinated the development of SafeCY as part of a strategy to improve preparedness for crisis situations, including military threats, natural disasters, and man-made accidents.
Cyprus Minister of the Interior Constantinos Ioannou emphasized that digital tools such as SafeCY are "an integral part of a modern civil protection system," especially in the context of global instability and growing geopolitical risks.
In an emergency, every second counts. "
This app is our way of giving people not only information, but also confidence that they know what to do," Ioannou said.
SafeCY is part of Cyprus's broader digital transformation in public safety, not just an app. Additional features are planned for integration in the near future, including automatic emergency notifications, access to evacuation maps, and feedback for emergency services. The project has been implemented with the support of European funds and is fully compliant with EU standards for civil protection and digital governance.