Fears mount over Iraq disorder
Lawlessness in Iraq could hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid to people in need, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned.
A lack of law and order on the streets, which has led to looting in Baghdad and Basra, could also prompt population displacement, the UNHCR said.
It has urged US and British troops to take immediate measures to restore order.
Following the looting in Basra and Baghdad, both the US and British say they will try to bring the streets under control.
Looters move in as the old regime collapses
The UNHCR appeal came amid scenes of looting in palaces, government offices and other buildings as Saddam Hussein's regime collapses in the face of US and British advances.
Scenes of jubilation mixed with outbreaks of looting erupted across Baghdad on Wednesday as US troops progressed through the Iraqi capital.
Widespread looting
The general lawlessness led the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to suspend its activities in Baghdad on Wednesday, saying the situation was too dangerous to continue.
It announced that a Canadian staff member, Vatche Arslanian, was shot and killed in Baghdad on Tuesday when the vehicle he was travelling in was caught in crossfire.
The body of 48-year-old Mr Arslanian, who was in charge of logistics in Iraq, was found on Wednesday.
An ICRC spokeswoman said 12 other people were believed to have died in the incident, when a number of vehicles were trapped in fighting. Other workers in two Red Cross vehicles managed to escape.
In addition, Medecins Sans Frontieres, a medical aid organisation, also suspended its operations in Iraq after two relief workers went missing in Baghdad.
The UNHCR said in a statement issued in Jordan: "The UN refugee agency is very concerned about the general lawlessness that is apparent in part of Iraq.
"We urge the occupying forces to take immediate measures to restore and maintain law and order and to ensure that humanitarian assistance flows to those who need it."
The UNHCR is also concerned there could be revenge attacks in certain parts of Iraqi society because of the current power vacuum in some areas.
In Baghdad's Saddam City, a Shia suburb, people were seen breaking into shops and homes to steal furniture, food, electrical equipment and carpets on Wednesday.
In the north of the capital, citizens were reported to have rampaged through the interior and irrigation ministries, gutting the offices.
Ornate items are taken along with more everyday objects
Security to improve
Other groups have also expressed concern about the lawlessness in Iraq, including the Iraqi National Congress, an opposition group in exile.
In a statement issued from London, a group official said: "It's a very critical and scary moment in Baghdad, and people have to express something.
"But there must be restoration of law and order, or there will be chaos."
A White House official, asked on Wednesday whether US forces would aim to stem looting in Iraqi cities, replied: "As the mission continues, security will improve and increase."
Britain's Group Captain Al Lockwood told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that steps would be taken to curb lawlessness in Basra.
He said: "We certainly have obligations under international law as, much as I hate to use the word, an occupying force, to make sure there is law and order, and we will do this." We urge the occupying forces to take immediate measures to restore and maintain law and order and to ensure that humanitarian assistance flows to those who need it UNHCR statement http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2933115.stm