Aid warning over Iraq war

The full damage of the war is not known

The humanitarian impact of the war in Iraq could go on for many years after the fighting stops, the International Committee of the Red Cross has warned.

The full extent of the humanitarian crisis will only start to be tackled once all of Iraq is secure and aid workers can move freely, charities believe.

Footage of Iraqis celebrating the downfall of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad has prompted speculation in some quarters that humanitarian work can soon begin in earnest.

But aid agencies have admitted they will not be entering the British-held southern Iraqi city of Basra - captured four days ago - until they receive reassurances about safety.

A Canadian Red Cross worker was killed in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Vatche Arslanian, 48, died instantly when his vehicle was caught in crossfire between US and Iraqi troops, the humanitarian agency said.

Arslanian was killed instantly

The aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres - also known as Doctors without Borders - says two of its staff have been missing since 2 April.

Muin Kassis, a spokesman for the ICRC, said: "The war may start at a point and end at another but the humanitarian impact could last for many years to come and that's how we see the situation now.

"The priorities remain the same as before, despite what happened on Wednesday and even the day before that.

"There has to be more assistance for the hospitals who are working tremendously in a very difficult situation. The water issue is another priority."

Hospitals overstretched

Speaking from Amman, in Jordan, he told BBC Breakfast television large quantities of aid now in neighbouring countries had to be sent to areas of Iraq with the most dire problems.

The overall toll of casualties must be pretty high

Muin Kassis
ICRC

He added: "We have been preparing for this war for so many months now and in this framework we have been repositioning essential relief material, including medications, anaesthetics, dressings and medical drugs.

"The hospitals have been prepared for this but they have been over-stretched by now and are far beyond the edge of their capacity.

"They have been using a lot of our stores as well and a time will come soon when we need to further consolidate that by moving more material from the neighbouring countries such as Jordan."

On Wednesday, the organisation said it was temporarily suspending its humanitarian work in Baghdad because of the "chaotic and unpredictable" atmosphere.

The agency says the exact number of civilian casualties is not clear.

But Mr Kassis said: "The overall toll of casualties must be pretty high."