Iraqi daily lives: Karim

The BBC News website has spoken to a range of Iraqis about their daily lives, and is publishing a series of their stories this week. Karim is a 37-year-old lorry driver from Baghdad.

I transport foodstuffs to and from open-air markets in Baghdad.

Iraqis shopping in Baghdad

In the past, I used to head out to a market in the city and wait for customers to hire me.

Today, because of explosions or kidnappings, waiting for customers is no longer an option.

To minimise risks, I arrange work through my mobile phone and I only accept work from those whom I trust and know well.

Once I receive an order, I let my family know all the details and where I am heading and which way I intend to travel.

My income is better than it used to be because as drivers we add an extra amount to the bill as danger money.

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It used to cost 2,000 Dinars [1.5 US$] to transport a ton within Baghdad. This has jumped up to 30,000 Dinars [20.5 US$] because of security.

The situation in Baghdad is truly catastrophic. It is much worse than what Lebanon endured during the civil war there.

I am married and we have kids. We allow them to go to school despite the risks, but once they get back home they cannot go out at all unless accompanied by us.

Our neighbourhood was very safe, until recently. Now the situation is different.

I can see how children have been affected by the violence. Their favourite game is playing with toy guns.

I fear for my children, so I too want to leave Iraq. I cannot see any future for us here. I don't have any hope that things will get better

I do have friends outside Baghdad but because of the danger I am unable to visit them and have been able to do so for more than a year. I only visit friends who live in my neighbourhood.

On top this, friends and relatives have begun to leave to other countries to escape the violence. I personally know two families who packed their bags and left for Syria.

I fear for my children, so I too want to leave Iraq. I cannot see any future for us here. I don't have any hope that things will get better. But I need to decide where we're going.

I am not too keen on ending up in another Arab country with a regime similar to that of Saddam Hussein.

But going to the West is also difficult because of the huge difference in culture and traditions. I don't know what the solution is.

The US and Britain made a mistake in invading Iraq.

Saddam was in control of Iraq and when someone disappeared during his rule, at least we knew where to go to get information.

Now, there are so many groups and militias that you don't know where to go.

Although I think the UK and US made a mistake by coming to Iraq, now that they are here they should not just leave.

They should stay and sort the problem, which they created in the first place.