In the stifling heat of a children's hospital in Basra, nine-month-old Ibrahim's body shows the ravages of sickness.

The lack of clean drinking water means baby Ibrahim has suffered 15 bouts of diarrhoea in the last month.

UNICEF's appeal for cash to provide safe drinking water in Iraq will help youngsters like Ibrahim and his family.

So far Evening Advertiser readers have raised £580 to support the campaign.

But there is still a long way to go before children can safely quench their thirst.

Chris Wynn, UNICEF's South West regional fundraising manager, said: "I'm delighted the total has gone up again. It shows that people care about others even if they aren't on their doorstep.

"There is still a lot to do, including sending out medical kits."

Years of under investment, more than 12 years of sanctions and wars have left Iraq's water system in chaos. As a result of the most recent conflict, many pumping stations and water treatment plants have become the target of looters.

Along the road from Basra to Safwan, rural communities desperate for water have illegally tapped the water pipe.

They shoot bullets or knock holes through joints in the pipe to reach the water, which causes the pressure to drop preventing the water from reaching the people of Safwan.

So far 200 tonnes of chlorine gas, 15 water testing kits, 40 tonnes of bleaching powder and 18,000 steel flasks have been sent out already.