Tens of thousands of frightened people trudged with their bundles from camps in anarchic central Liberia today after reports of more gunfire in spite of last month's peace deal.
Few of those spilling down the road from refugee camps at Totota had heard shots, but people in the West African country take no chances after nearly 14 years of anguish and ruin.
An elderly woman hobbled along with a bucket on her head, wearing just a cloth wrapped round her waist. Many carried young children, some clutched dogs, while others pressed forward under sporadic tropical showers in wheelchairs or on crutches.
Witnesses said they had also heard reports of an attack on Zeansu, a town about 125 km (80 miles) northeast of the capital, by rebels yesterday. Several said they had been harassed or robbed by pro-government fighters.
The road was strewn with shredded sugar cane leaves plucked by civilians from the waterlogged bush to chew. Occasionally a pickup laden with armed government militiamen would drive north against the tide of refugees.
A top UN official said the United States had been asked to send helicopters from three warships offshore to reassure Liberians that the area was still safe.
Some 50,000 people had been camped around Totota, which is 115 km from Monrovia, and 30,000 at Salala before the reports of shooting to the north.
Most refugees in the sprawling camps had already been running for years to escape the shifting pattern of murder, rape and looting by gangs of young gunmen.
West African peacekeepers have ended fighting in the capital Monrovia, some 90 km (60 miles) from Salala, but clashes have flared sporadically outside the city despite an accord signed by the government and rebel groups last month.