"The conflict in Iraq is inflicting immense suffering on the entire population," The International Committee of the Red Cross writes in a report issued Wednesday.

The document, entitled "Civilians Without Protection" sketches major humanitarian issues facing Iraqi civilians and sounds a dire alarm about looming crises in infrastructural issues such as the food supply, clean water, medical care, electricity and fuel, as well as the effects of the war and security situation on civilians, including lack of protection from the war, and the sufferring of families separated by displacement and detention.

Along with an overview of these issues, the report contains quotes from eyewitnesses to the humanitarian crisis in the country.

"I was accosted by gunmen who gave me two hours to leave my home, together with my wife and three children. They told me not to take any of my belongings, not even my children’s clothes," says a man identified as Saad, an engineer in Baghdad's Hurriya district.

On the medical situation in the country, Dr Adel Al-Shammari, director of Baghdad's Al-Kindi Teaching Hospital said just two months ago, "With attacks being carried out daily, it is as if Baghdad were in a state of constant emergency. We are doing our best to cope with the influx of casualties with the means at our disposal, with the support of the Ministry of Health and the help of the ICRC. Our surgical wards are always full and working conditions are extremely difficult. Of the 208 surgeons who used to work here, only 40 or so are still on duty today."

The report also outlines Red Cross activites in Iraq, and appeals for more to be done to protect and support Iraq's civilians.

"The suffering that Iraqi men, women and children are enduring today is unbearable and unacceptable. Their lives and dignity are continuously under threat," said the ICRC's director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, in a statement on the ICRC web site, upon the report's release. "The ICRC calls on all those who can influence the situation on the ground to act now to ensure that the lives of ordinary people are spared and protected. This is an obligation under international humanitarian law for both States and non-State actors."

The 13-page report can be downloaded here: Iraq_report_icrc.pdf