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The war in Iraq is likely to have a profound effect on the mental health of the 12 million children in Iraq, an independent group of experts has warned.

New research commissioned by War Child Canada reveals that, even before the outbreak of war, the mental health of Iraqi children was suffering. Interviews with children in Baghdad and Basra and questionnaires from school children revealed that the threat of war was affecting their lives, with the majority reporting "strong, daily fear".

The children were worried that they might not live to become adults and that something bad would happen to them or their family.

Many reported sleeping problems and nightmares, as well as severe concentration problems. Extreme feelings of detachment were also noted, and almost 40 per cent of children thought that life was not worth living most of the time.

The research team claimed that Iraqi children had already been badly traumatised as a result of 12 years of economic sanctions and said the impact of a new war would be "catastrophic".

- Our Common Responsibility from www.warchild.ca