TWO years ago this week the village of Misan was in the path of Coalition troops heading to Basra. It was bombed, killing dozens and injuring scores more.
Today it is an apocalyptic landscape of rubble, half-collapsed breeze-block homes and twisted wreckage – a ghost village, in fact.
A little girl, Zeynab, (pictured) just nine at the time, lost 17 of her family and her right leg. But Iraqi hospitals do not have the doctors, money or equipment to help. Thanks to donations Zeynab was fitted with an artificial leg in the UK. The hospital in Basra, which should have treated Zeynab, is appealing for money to buy basic equipment and Portakabins for doctors to live in.
Almost a year after urgent requests were made to the British government help has yet to reach the children. International Development Secretary Hilary Benn is “still looking into” matters. But according to the British Limbless Association, there are tens of thousands of amputees in Iraq who need help.
There’s no way to replace the lives and families destroyed but this week an appeal is being launched to help the other Iraqi children who, like Zeynab, are missing limbs.
Bob Watts, world expert prosthetist who helped Zeynab, said: “Doctors are ready to help more children. All we need are the funds.”
Donations can be sent by cash, cheque or postal order to: Our Home Iraq, c/o Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR.

• Cheques should be made payable to Our Home Iraq or paid direct to: Lloyds TSB. Sort code: 309707. Account number: 00723748.