Behind every report of sectarian violence that comes out of Iraq, there are painful tragedies.

Murtada, 5, is one of the countless ordinary people who have paid a terrible price for the ongoing violence. He is from Baghdad and, in happier times, he lived with his parents and an older brother and sister.

In August 2004, he was going with his father to the market when they were caught in a terrible explosion. They survived, but Murtada suffered severe burns all over his body. He was only three years old at the time.

He was taken to hospital, but his injuries were serious. He had lost three-quarters of his skin and then his blood became poisoned. The doctors kept him in hospital for a month before allowing him to return home, but within a few days he relapsed and was back in hospital.

Nine days later, a large explosion rocked the hospital and all the patients were evacuated. Murtada had to return home to continue his treatment there.

He recovered eventually, but with large patches of deformed skin all over his body.

A brutal killing
Two years passed, and Baghdad's violence raged on. In February 2007, armed men stormed into his house at midnight and kidnapped his father. The next morning, his body was found in the street, riddled with bullets. There were signs of torture all over him.

Even after his father's death, Murtada's family continued to be threatened with violence and they fled their home. The family moved to their grandmother's small house in a safer part of town, leaving all their possessions behind.

Seeing his father die such a brutal death and then being forced out of his home has affected his mental state. "Murtada has become very aggressive," says his mother.

Murtada's mother struggles to provide the family, she suffers from heart disease and needs medication, and so now they live in abject poverty. They have lost their breadwinner, their house, and all their belongings.

Sponsorship
Islamic Relief is working with this family. "When I met him he seemed playful," says IR's orphan officer in Iraq, "but you could sense a deep sadness beneath the surface."

The family has no livelihood and Murtada still needs more treatment for his wounds.

Islamic Relief has arranged for a UK donor to sponsor Murtada. The sponsorship will supplement the family's income and help with his treatment.

To sponsor a child like Murtada visit http://www.alyateem.com/_en/.
For more information email : projects@islamic-relief.org.uk