MY daughter, who works voluntarily for a small Christian aid agency, has just returned to Grozny in Chechnya.

While home for a short break, she told of the horrendous conditions in the war zone that is Chicane, with pillaging, rape, torture and killings. Recently too, the country has been devastated with severe flooding which compounds their misery.

Now, I don't wish to debate the politics of the situation, but the indigenous population -- as usual -- are at the sharp end of this ongoing conflict.

Indeed, what are the rich nations of the world doing to alleviate this tragedy? Precisely nothing!

It's just possible that they don't wish to upset the present Russian administration, but that gets back to politics.

However, most of the people of Chechnya have been traumatised by years of war which, since 1994, has seen more than 200,000 people killed and over 300,000 people fleeing as refugees.

Therefore, it is about time something was done and done now. But does anyone really care?

The United States may be right over its stance on Iraq, but both Mr Blair and President Bush should take careful heed over their deliberations and open their eyes, because they appear rather blinkered where other tragedies occur and continue such has the plight that is happening in Chechnya.

J Hunt, Carrfield, Bamber Bridge, Preston.