The UK Forces Gulf Fund, recognized by the British Ministry of Defense, was expected to raise money through public donations to offer financial compensation to the families of dead soldiers or injured troops before their pension payments start.

"All armed forces personnel and accompanying civilians who suffer as a result (of) taking part in Operation Telic, and their respective dependents, may be eligible to apply for assistance from the fund," the ministry said in a statement.

Under the code of "Operation Telic", Britain has deployed about 45,000 troops in the Gulf to fight the US-led war.

The British deployment also includes 120 tanks, a naval task force and about 100 warplanes.

According to the Ministry of Defense, about 22 British soldiers have been killed in action as the war entered the ninth day.

During the 1991 Gulf War, Britain set up a similar fund, which raised about 3 million pounds (US$4.7 million) through public donations.

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2003)