UMM QASR hospital, Southern Iraq - it's 10am and dozens of patients crowd into the understaffed hospital in the hope of seeing a doctor.

Some women walked from towns and cities 30 or 50km away with their children in the hope of receiving life-saving treatment.

Many children are suffering from respiratory disease and diarrhoea, the cause of 70 per cent of child deaths in Iraq.

Left untreated, they can easily turn into something far more serious, especially for infants and young children.

Louis Coles, UNICEF regional fundraising manager, said: "The children and women waiting patiently to see one of the two doctors at Umm Qasr's general hospital are vulnerable, ordinary Iraqis trapped in extraordinary circumstances."

The Evening Press and UNICEF have launched an appeal to help fund emergency medical kits to treat Iraqi children.

To make a donation toward the Evening Press/UNICEF children's appeal, complete the coupon here or phone 0114 2517092 for information about organising a fundraising event.

Updated: 10:51 Saturday, April 19, 2003