SafeCY in the Republic of Cyprus: How to Find the Nearest Shelter on the Map

SafeCY is a free official mobile application that helps you quickly find the nearest civil defence shelters in the Republic of Cyprus based on your geolocation or by address/postal code.

• Download SafeCY
• What SafeCY can do
• How to use it
• Permissions and privacy
• Useful tips
• Contacts for clarification
• Glossary
• Frequently Asked Questions

Download SafeCY

• SafeCY on the App Store (iOS)
• SafeCY on Google Play (Android)

What SafeCY can do

• Shows the nearest shelters on an interactive map.
• Searches for shelters by current geolocation (GPS), address, or postal code.
• Displays basic reference information for points (e.g., capacity).
• Downloads map and point data and saves it locally so the app works more stably (including with weak connections).

How to use it

How to do it

1. Install SafeCY from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Allow access to geolocation (if you want to search for the nearest points "near me").
3. Open the map: the app will show the nearest shelters around you.
4. If you need to find shelters in another area, use the search by address or postal code.
5. Open the point's card on the map and view basic information (including capacity, if specified).
6. Save 2–3 nearby points for yourself in advance (home/work/frequent places) and check the route on foot to understand the entrance and approaches on the ground.

Permissions and privacy

SafeCY requests access to geolocation to show the nearest shelters. The app also needs internet access to load maps and object data, and access to storage for local storage of mapping data (for stability and partial offline operation).

Useful tips

• Check points in advance. Find the nearest shelters near your home and work and walk the route once to understand the actual entrance and access on the ground.
• Do not rely on a single point. Choose at least 2 alternatives: accessibility in practice may differ from the map (repairs, closed passages, access restrictions).
• Keep basic permissions enabled. For the "find nearby quickly" scenario, GPS is needed; for the "check a relative's neighborhood" scenario, searching by address/postal code is sufficient.
• Clarify disputed cases. If a point causes doubt (for example, you cannot find the entrance), it is better to check with Civil Defence via official contacts.

Contacts for clarification

If you notice an error in an address, a point does not correspond to reality, or you need clarification on a specific shelter, use the official contact of the Civil Defence of the Republic of Cyprus:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +357 22 403 413

Glossary

• Civil Defence — the civil defense service in the Republic of Cyprus responsible for civil protection measures.
• Shelter — a designated place of cover intended for use in emergency situations.
• Geolocation (GPS) — the determination of your location by a smartphone to find nearby objects on the map.
• Postal Code — the index of an area/address that can be used to search for the desired zone on the map.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register in SafeCY?

No. According to the service description, the app works without an account and without creating a profile.

Can I search for shelters not near me, but in another city?

Yes. Use the search by address or postal code to check an area in advance (for example, near a relative's house).

Does SafeCY collect my personal data?

According to the privacy policy and declarations in app stores, SafeCY does not collect personal data. Geolocation is requested to display nearby points and is used locally on the device.

What should I do if a point on the map does not correspond to reality?

Record the address/point and report it via the official Civil Defence contact (email/phone listed in the "Contacts for clarification" section).

Why does the app ask for access to memory (storage)?

To save mapping data and reference information locally — this increases operation speed and can help with unstable internet.

Is the app suitable for children?

In app stores, SafeCY is marked as suitable for a wide audience. However, use in emergency situations assumes that adults will explain to the child in advance what to do and where to go.