The head of a Bradford relief agency said long-term aid is vital to get Iraq back on its feet again.

Dr Nabeel Al-Ramadhani, of the Human Relief Foundation, based in Great Horton Road, has spent six weeks delivering blankets and medical supplies to the country.

And he said the plight of the Iraqi people is still desperate.

"They have had the past months of their lives stolen away.

"Imagine living with no authority, no school, no court, no power, no structure and in many cases nothing to eat or drink."

He said he has seen people collapsing in the streets while queueing to buy essentials and that a drugs trade is "rampant".

"I have seen an affluent society reduced to desperately worrying about food and water.

"These problems will not be solved in a few weeks. Long-term help is needed in order to breathe life into this society once more."

The agency has so far raised more than £250,000 for Iraq. It is sponsoring two hospitals - including a 600-bed maternity hospital and eight schools.

Dr Al-Ramadhani had originally gone out there, just after the bombing started, for just ten days but stayed on to give further help.

The agency is helping around 2000 Iraqi families and has delivered 60 tonnes of food.

He said the southern part of the country was worst affected, where many schools and universities remained closed and sickness was rife because there was no regular collection of waste.

But he said the aid from his agency was having a huge impact. "Lives are being saved every day. This is a genuine tribute to the kindness of everyone who has made a donation to the HRF.

"It is wonderful they have made these donations but if people could actually see what life is like in Iraq they would be truly shocked."

He urged pharmacies and medical suppliers to make donations.

Donations can be made to: HRF Freepost, Bradford 3125, PO Box 194, BD7 1 YW. Call 08700 117 112.