Basra: aid agencies remain cautious

The coalition push into the heart of Basra will not guarantee the easier distribution of food and medical supplies in the city, aid agencies have warned.

Will Slater, spokesman for the British Red Cross, said it was wrong to assume supplies would reach the needy now that coalition forces were further into Basra.

He said there were still difficulties in negotiating "a passage through the front line" because aid workers did "not know what elements of the Iraqi army remained."

He added: "We can't make the assumption that the flow of aid will be easier now we are more into Basra.

"What governs it is the security situation and whether its safe for our staff to operate.

"It doesn't matter really if one side is in control or the area is in dispute, it could still be dangerous.

"We have to assess the situation on a day by day basis."

A spokeswoman for Oxfam said its workers would not be entering the city because it was still considered "too dangerous".

She added: "Our security analysis is that it's still not safe enough for us to go in.

"There's a humanitarian imperative and we want to go in as soon as we can. We have all seen the chaotic delivery of aid over the last few weeks and that's something we are concerned about."

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