'It doesn't end when the bombs stop'

'It doesn't end when the bombs stop'

Members of the team at Warmley say the relief effort could take years

The British Red Cross in Bristol has told BBC News Online about its plans to provide aid if called upon during the war in Iraq.

The recently opened emergency centre at Warmley is home to one of several teams in the world able to provide immediate aid.

The four-strong team is on stand-by to fly to the Gulf with just 24 hours notice, ready to provide any logistical support needed.

John Farebrother, of the British Red Cross, said: "In a large emergency, so many goods arrive that you really need a dedicated team to be able to receive them and forward them on.

Schools, hospitals and clinics will all have to be repaired - like they were in Afghanistan

John Farebrother
British Red Cross

"Then they arrive in the hands of the people who need them on time."

Talking about their role as providers of logistical support, team member John Cunningham said: "To achieve this you need warehouses to receive and distribute goods.

"This means going to the country, setting up warehouses and transport - which can be a pretty daunting task."

And their work will not finish when the war ends.

Mr Farebrother added: "It doesn't end when the bombs stop.

'Passport ready'

"There will be a huge rehabilitation after the war.

"Schools, hospitals and clinics will all have to be repaired - like they were in Afghanistan.

"That could go on for months or years," he said.

"My bags are packed and I've had my vaccinations.

"My passport is ready and I'm ready to go."