GENEVA, May 24 (Reuters) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is trying to bring urgent aid to 20,000 Palestinians trapped in a refugee camp in northern Lebanon, the head of the humanitarian agency said on Thursday.

ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger said a convoy of 11 trucks had left the Jordanian capital of Amman carrying 220 metric tonnes of food for the refugees at Nahr al-Bared camp. It was due in Beirut by the end of the day and carry on to northern Lebanon on Friday.

The neutral humanitarian agency has been in contact with all sides of the conflict since fighting broke out on Sunday between the Lebanese army and the al Qaeda-inspired militant group Fatah al-Islam, he said.

"We remain extremely concerned about the security of up to 20,000 civilians who are still inside the camp and who need protection and assistance activities," Kellenberger told a news conference in Geneva.

At least 22 militants and 32 soldiers have been killed in the clashes -- Lebanon's worst internal violence since the 1975-1990 civil war. Lebanon says between 50 and 60 militants have been killed.

"I fear that the toll will be higher when we know the fate of civilians," Kellenberger said, noting the lack of access. "Medical supplies and water are always urgent in such cases."

The camp's water and electricity systems have stopped functioning, but ICRC officials had been able to deliver some bottled water earlier in the day, he added. "We will do whatever we can to continue and increase protection activities."

The Swiss-based agency has already distributed some 20 metric tonnes of aid to Beddawi camp, where about a third of the camp's residents had fled, according to the ICRC chief.

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