Charity aid workers on relief mission to Iraq

AID workers for a city-based charity have rushed to war-torn Iraq to help local people.

Representatives from Mercy Corps have visited the country to provide relief.

They have taken 780,000 litres of water to Basra as well as three months' stock of disposable first aid medical supplies, including two blood bags for hospitals.

In the coming days, the organisation is also due to give out water, food and hygiene kits in the province of Maysan and assess the humanitarian situation.

The charity's Iraq country director, Paul Butler, said although a ceasefire was in place, the area had been crippled by years of war and violence.

He said: "People haven't been able to access basics like food, water and fuel for days."