As Japan continues to debate whether to send troops to help reconstruct Iraq, Japanese nongovernmental organizations are struggling to carry out their relief work in the war-torn country.

Of the roughly 75 international NGOs currently engaged in humanitarian relief activities in Iraq, four are Japan-based, according to aid agencies.

But even for these frontline aid experts, all experienced in conflict zones, conducting relief work in Iraq is a tough challenge due to the volatile security situation and chaos, including the apparent lack of a coordinating body.