First aid shipment arrives at port

The first shipment of aid for Iraqi civilians docked at the port of Umm Qasr today.

The British ship Sir Galahad, carrying more than 200 tonnes of food and other essential supplies, finally arrived just before 12.30pm Irish time after a series of delays.

Aid agencies described the shipment as a “good start” but expressed concerns over British soldiers distributing the supplies.

There are fears that the most needy Iraqis are in areas outside army control where deliveries are not being made.

The number being reached by the Red Crescent and troop deliveries is also dwarfed by the 1 million plus people in Basra, the main city in the region.

There were also safety concerns after one delivery destined for vulnerable Iraqis was taken by fit young men and a second was fired on.

Military planners have yet to decide where this delivery will be sent, but there is little prospect of it reaching the centre of Basra, where Baath party paramilitaries have forced a stand-off with British troops.