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If you are in an emergency 112 Emergency / Ambulance 101 Civil Defence 177 Forest Fire 155 Police TAKDER is not a crisis line

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TAKDER

Cyprus risk profile

Which hazard affects whom on the island, and how: earthquake, wildfire, flood and violence.

01

What it is

A risk profile shows together which hazards exist in an area, who is more exposed to them and how prepared the community is. Psychosocial preparedness starts here too: knowing in advance who will need what support, and when.

Earthquake

Cyprus lies on the zone where the African and Anatolian plates interact and carries a real earthquake risk. What raises the risk most is older buildings not designed for earthquakes and unsecured objects inside homes.

Who it affects

People living in older buildings, older people, people with disabilities, schools and crowded workplaces.

Non-structural risks at home

Wildfire

In the hot, dry summer months the risk of fire rises in forested and rural areas. Fires can spread fast; evacuation and smoke are the greatest dangers.

Who it affects

Villages at the forest edge, farmers and livestock keepers, people with asthma, firefighting crews and volunteers.

Emergency kit

Floods and flash floods

Heavy rain over a short time can cause flash floods in stream beds and in settlements with inadequate drainage. Water is most dangerous on roads people try to drive through.

Who it affects

People living in stream beds and low-lying areas, in basements, and drivers.

Family disaster plan

Violence

Domestic violence, gender-based violence and violence against children are not sudden like disasters but often invisible and ongoing. The risk can rise during crises.

Who it affects

Women, children, older people, people with disabilities and those in dependent relationships.

Trauma and violence

This profile is a starting point. For each hazard, Cyprus-specific data — past events, affected areas, institutional responsibilities — will be written up separately together with the relevant institutions. See Understanding risk.

02

Expected reactions

  • After an earthquake: startling at aftershocks, fear of going indoors, sleep problems
  • After a fire: strong reactions to the smell of smoke or sirens, grief over the loss of home and livelihood
  • After a flood: anxiety when it rains, loss of belongings and home, exhaustion during the clean-up
  • After violence: constant vigilance, shame and guilt, loss of trust

These are normal reactions to an abnormal event. For most people they ease noticeably within a few weeks, with safety, routine and social support.

03

What you can do

  • Learn your household’s risks: the age of your building, proximity to a stream bed, the forest edge.
  • Make a family disaster plan and prepare an emergency kit.
  • Follow official warnings from the TRNC Civil Defence Organisation and the relevant institutions.
  • Know in advance which neighbours may need help (older or disabled people).
  • Save the emergency numbers in your phone: 112, 101, 177, 155.

04

When to seek support

  • Reactions last longer than four weeks or keep getting worse
  • Daily tasks — work, school, caring for children — have become impossible
  • Use of alcohol, medication or other substances has increased
  • The person is completely withdrawing and not talking to anyone
  • There are thoughts of harming oneself or others — in this case, without waiting

Do not wait: if danger is ongoing, or you or someone else is thinking about self-harm, call 112 now; for violence call 155. TAKDER is not a crisis line; see where to turn.

References

Where the information on this page comes from

Risk concepts
UNDRR (2017). Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction. undrr.org
Hazard classification
PreventionWeb (UNDRR). Sendai Framework at a glance. preventionweb.net
Preparedness and warnings in Cyprus
TRNC Civil Defence Organisation (Sivil Savunma Teşkilatı). sivilsavunma.gov.ct.tr
Normal reactions
WHO, War Trauma Foundation and World Vision International (2011). Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers. who.int