There has been unrest lately about shelters. Citizens are looking for information and trying to find safe spaces in their neighborhoods. The situation is not reassuring.
Many shelters are in basement areas of apartment buildings, and there’s no clear signage. The entrances are locked, and getting there can be tough. Residents often don’t know who is in charge or who has the key. This leads to confusion, questions, and worry. Civil Defense is responsible for checking shelters. Citizens should visit their official website or use the SafeCY app to find shelters in their area.
A serious question comes up: what if the app shows a shelter three kilometers away? In an emergency, can an elderly person, a child, or a family without a car really make it there in time?
Four months for 112 to work properly? People understandably wonder what was happening all this time.
The 112 European Emergency Number isn’t new. It’s a pan-European alert system that has worked for years in many countries with geolocation, mass SMS, sound alerts, and direct links to Fire Brigade, Police, and Ambulances. This is not just a last-minute app – it’s basic civil protection infrastructure.
These spaces are checked regularly for suitability and safety. However, during tense times, citizens want more than general assurances. They expect specific information and updates.
The main issue isn’t just having shelters but being able to use them effectively. A shelter that can’t be opened right away or isn’t known to locals creates insecurity instead of safety. Meanwhile, people are moving around neighborhoods asking each other where the nearest safe space is. This shows the need for clear and organized information from the responsible services.
The grandmother’s cellar by Katerina Agapitou – Which they call Shelter
Prevention isn’t something you do at the last minute. It needs planning, regular checks, transparency, and good communication. In civil protection matters, readiness isn’t about statements but practical solutions that work when needed. The question now is clear. Will there be immediate mapping and notification about shelters in people’s areas or will uncertainty continue?
Elen Christou published the related photo from the so-called shelter
If anyone thinks we ignore everything for political reasons, they are mistaken. Citizens don’t care about power games or profit-making schemes. They care about safety, transparency, and real solutions. They want to know what works and what doesn’t.
Journalism is not a toy for anyone. It doesn’t serve any group. Journalists are not shareholders or political players. They are – first of all – citizens. They live in the same city, walk the same streets, and worry about the same issues. Criticism isn’t an attack. It’s an obligation. Accountability isn’t hostility. It’s democracy.
