Q: Could you describe the situation in Baghdad at the moment?

Ferocious fighting has spread all over Baghdad city today, with deadly consequences. Most of the casualties are women and children. There is a severe shortage of medicine, medical equipment and doctors.

Hospitals are unable to receive the massive number of dead and injured. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health is unable to cope with such a disastrous situation.

Baghdad city looks empty. Witnesses say many Iraqis have left their homes and fled to the surrounding areas of Baghdad . Other reports indicate that some people from Falluja have evacuated the city as houses, cars, mosques and even hospitals are bombed. Again, most of the casualties reported from Falluja are women and children.

2) What is the mood amongst the ordinary Iraqi people right now?

Indescribable feelings of rejection and anger are spreading all over the country. Some cities where the Coalition Forces never faced any resistance are now fiercely fighting.

As always, it is the vulnerable members of society who are suffering the most from the increasing insecurity and violence.

However, there is massive support from the people of Baghdad and Najaf towards their fellow citizens in Falluja - any religious differences are unimportant.

3) What are the greatest humanitarian needs?

Canned and dried food, medical items, hygiene kits, blankets and mattresses are urgently needed right now.

The Islamic Relief team in Iraq is prepared to help as much as it can. However funds are running out. We need to buy food and medicines for the coming month as IR is planning to help more cities in the middle and south of the country.

4) Can you describe the local response to the needs of the people in Falluja?

When Falluja was closed, people from all over Iraq started to donate whatever they had to hand in their homes. One staff member reported that a poor family donated three buckets of tissues – all they had to offer.

Almost every house in Baghdad , whether rich or poor has donated food and medicine to their fellow citizens in Falluja. Donations were also sent from Najaf and Kirkuk .

When news spread that Islamic Relief had obtained a permit to enter Falluja people from the surrounding areas started to pour into Islamic Relief's Baghdad office to donate whatever possessions were available.

IR received so many donations from people that we had to hire more trucks to be sent to Falluja. Three trucks have already been sent, and an additional convoy of three trucks should be going within a few days.

People's reaction has been very strong, and donors are still coming in to Islamic Relief's office.

5) Why do you think the people came to Islamic Relief with their donations?

Islamic Relief is one of the very few organisations responding actively to the humanitarian crisis in Falluja. The Iraqi community know this, and it was reflected in their donations.

Islamic Relief's activities have also been covered by various local TV channels.

6) What are your fears for the coming week?

That there will be a large number of people displaced by the violence which will require a massive humanitarian effort to meet their needs.

7) Finally, what message do you have for Islamic Relief's supporters around the world?

The Iraqi people need financial and material support, but they also require moral support. They need communities in the West to press on their governments to bring an end to the violence.