After a week of heavy bombardment of several key cities by coalition forces Winchester MP Mark Oaten has voiced his fears about the growing humanitarian crisis in Iraq.

He says securing areas in the south of the country so that vital aid convoys can get through to the war-torn communities must be a priority.

And he is concerned that the prospect of bitter urban battles in key towns and cities will only exacerbate the situation by delaying the distribution of key supplies of food and water.

Speaking from Westminster he said: "As the war enters its third week, humanitarian aid issues are a real cause for concern. Some of the aid agencies are warning that food supplies could run out in weeks.

"Twenty-four million people will need to be fed, and clean water will have to be supplied if humanitarian disaster is to be averted. Street-fighting in the towns and cities will stop aid from reaching innocent Iraqi civilians already living with little or no fresh water or power. In these circumstances epidemic and the death of thousands appear increasingly likely.

"It is vital we ensure that the non-governmental organisations providing humanitarian support get access to the areas of need. At present they just can't deliver food. Securing these areas in southern Iraq must become a priority.

"When aid is distributed it cannot become a free-for-all with the weakest struggling to pick up parcels. Whilst our troops are doing the best they can to help with food distribution, now is the time to get the aid agencies in and let them do the work at which they are the most experienced."

Some aid reached the beleaguered port of Umm Qasr last weekend and was distributed by British troops from the 17th Port and Maritime regiment who are normally based at Marchwood in Southampton.