Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou on Saturday announced that the civil defence’s ‘SafeCY’ mobile application, which allows users to find their nearest shelter, is fully functional.

The application, which was first launched in March, is available free of charge on both Apple’s App Store and on Google’s Play Store, and operates in both Greek and English.

Ioannou’s statement comes amid escalations in the conflict between Iran and Israel.

Users can find their nearest shelter either by allowing the application to access their location, which will allow them to see in real time their nearest shelter, or by entering an address.

The application also lists guidelines for those using shelters.

Those guidelines state that the public must “identify the nearest shelter in advance” and urges people to “prepare an emergency kit containing essential items”.

It says that essential items include water, dry food, first aid supplies, a torch, batteries, a radio, medication, important documents, some cash, and baby food, for those looking after babies.

If an alarm sounds, it says, people must “proceed to the nearest shelter following the instructions of the relevant authorities”.

“Stay calm and try to access various sources of information,” it adds.

The interior ministry said the application’s launch “strengthens the early warning mechanism”.

“The application’s development and operation reflect the state’s goals of strengthening the protection of the public, especially in cases of emergency, where quick and immediate information is required,” it said.