Saleema Muslim (34) helping her son Kadhim Rehman (15) to breath oxygen from the mask....

Saleema Muslim (34) helping her son Kadhim Rehman (15) to breath oxygen from the mask. She was married in 1987. Her husband, an active soldier, died during the war leaving her pregnant with Kadhim. However, since has is born, he has cerebral-pursy Now she survives on her husbands pension and whatever she manage to get as help from her family. Child requires much attention as well as money. She does not know how long she will be able to continue to breathe life in his body. Alwya Hospital for Children. Baghdad. Additional Info: Until January 2003, the situation of children and women in Iraq remains critical. One million children under five in southern and central Iraq continue to suffer from chronic malnutrition. Some 60 per cent of the entire population depend on monthly Government food rations, making them extremely vulnerable to any disruption in these supplies in the event of conflict. Widespread poverty and crumbling infrastructure, the result of years of conflict and 12 years of international economic sanctions, have affected all sectors, including massive deterioration of the country's water and sanitation systems. (photo)