"It appears there are more people in the streets, so we think there is some progress in terms of security," Nada Doumani, an ICRC spokeswoman, said.

The ICRC said Sunday that several hospitals in Baghdad were without water and power, and the breakdown of law and order was making it difficult to improve conditions.

Aid workers were continuing repairs on water mains and a pumping station in Baghdad on Monday, Doumani told AFP.

"They are also visiting hospitals that they had not seen so far which are in Saddam City," she added, referring to Baghdad's predominantly Shiite neighbourhood.

ICRC warned last Friday the city's health system was in a state of virtual collapse after hospitals were looted.

SPACE.WIRE