The Government remained under pressure today to consider military intervention in Iraq as more aid was delivered to help thousands of people trapped on Mount Sinjar in the north.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening confirmed that a third round of successful UK air drops took place last night.
The supplies included two C130 consignments containing 2,640 reusable water purification containers filled with clean water.
Aircrew on the RAF Hercules delivering emergency aid air drops to people in Northern Iraq. (MoD/PA)
More than 500 shelter kits to provide shade in temperatures of more than 40C (104F) were also inside the packages.
There have now been five successful drops over three nights.
Meanwhile, another 130 US troops have arrived in Iraq on what the Pentagon described as a temporary mission to assess the scope of the humanitarian crisis facing thousands of displaced civilians trapped on Sinjar.
But Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted the UK will not intervene militarily - despite increasing calls from experienced commanders yesterday for it to join the US in air strikes on IS targets.
Ms Greening, who announced £8 million in new assistance last week: said: "As thousands of Iraqi people remain cut off away from their homes, we are focused on getting help to those in need, particularly those trapped on Mount Sinjar.
"After last night the RAF have successfully made five drops, including thousands of containers filled with clean water that can also be used to purify dirty water and hundreds of shelter kits."
Among those to call on the Prime Minister for military action in the fight against IS is Colonel Tim Collins, noted for the inspirational speech he delivered to troops on the eve of the 2003 Iraq War.
He warned in the Daily Telegraph that ancient civilisations in Iraq could be "extinguished" unless there is action and dismissed the aid drops as a "pebble in the ocean".
He also urged the Government to arm and train Peshmerga fighters.
General Sir Mike Jackson, professional head of the Army during the Iraq War, said there is a "moral duty" to help with the humanitarian response.
He told the newspaper he would have "no difficulty at all" in saying the UK should be alongside the US to up the "British ante" to the use of airpower on humanitarian grounds.
Calls also came from religious leaders including Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, chaplain to the Commons Speaker.
She told Channel 4 News that "maybe we need to go to the extent of military action".
As well as the aid drops, the UK is sending a "small number" of RAF Chinook helicopters to the mountain to increase the options available as efforts continued to ease the plight of the tens of thousands of Yazidis trapped there.
Britain has also committed to transport military equipment to resupply Kurdish forces which have been outgunned by IS.
Former defence secretary Liam Fox has also demanded Britain join the US raids on the IS militants.
Writing in the Daily Mail today, he backed the use of the military to protect civilians from the "barbaric" jihadists.
He also attacked the "catastrophic complacency" of Western politicians over the humanitarian crisis, accusing them of policy paralysis.
Dr Fox insisted that aid on its own is not enough to help defenceless Iraqis and warned that young extremists could flood Britain if the threat is not extinguished.
To that end, he urged Mr Cameron to send in RAF jets to join the US strikes and agree to supply arms to the Kurdish army.
Labour welcomed the stepping up of aid efforts, including the deployment of Chinook helicopters, but did not join the calls for the UK to take part in the direct US military intervention.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said: "The Iraqi government has asked for international help. The UN Security Council has urged the world to act, and the United States has unique military capabilities to help avert a massacre.
"Clearly the UK must now also be doing all that we can to assist the vital humanitarian effort that is now under way to help save lives and prevent further suffering.
"Labour has welcomed the UK's provision of humanitarian support for Iraq to date, including the use of military assets to assist with the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
"The Government should be working actively with our allies to now step up the humanitarian response to the unfolding tragedy on Mount Sinjar. That should include looking at how the United Kingdom can contribute most effectively."
Labour MP Graham Allen hit out at those calling for UK air strikes.
"Many MPs who voted for the Iraq war, started this blood-letting and the creation of Isis, have learnt nothing and bay for yet more violence," he said.
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