There's a gathering point before moving to the shelter in north Cyprus: Do you know where to go in an emergency?

In the event of war, a natural disaster, or any major emergency, knowing your nearest gathering point could be just as vital as knowing the location of the nearest shelter. 

While the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has a total of 268 officially designated shelters, experts stress that reaching these shelters begins with one critical step: assembling at designated gathering areas.

To support public preparedness, the Civil Defence Organisation has launched a digital tool on its official website, allowing users to locate the nearest gathering point based on their current location.

This interactive map enables residents to enter their location and instantly view the closest designated gathering area, along with directions on how to reach it. The tool is available via the following link:
👉 https://sivilsavunmatoplanmaalanlari.gov.ct.tr/?sfnsn=wa

Awareness Before Shelter

According to experts, gathering points serve as the first line of organized safety in emergency scenarios. These designated locations allow citizens to come together in a coordinated manner before being directed to shelters or safe zones by emergency personnel.

Simply knowing a shelter exists is not sufficient, authorities warn. There must be a public understanding of how, when, and from where to access these shelters—beginning with awareness of gathering points.

The Civil Defence Organisation emphasizes that preparedness saves lives, and urges the public to use the digital tool to familiarize themselves with their nearest emergency assembly area before a crisis occurs.