Liberian rebels have attacked several refugee camps close to the capital of the west African country, sending thousands fleeing.
A Save the Children worker said three camps near Brewerville, which is six miles northwest of the capital Monrovia, had been attacked. Over 20,000 people lived in the camps.
Schools were shut and shop and market-stall owners closed their businesses for fear of looters as thousands of war-weary residents of Brewerville and the camps fled, carrying their personal possessions in bundles on their heads.
The attack was blamed on Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), which has been fighting since 1999 to oust President Charles Taylor.
Some witnesses said the rebels launched the attack to steal food as flour was being distributed in the camps.
About three weeks ago, LURD rebels attacked another camp nearby, leaving left three people dead and abducting more than 2,000 people.