"What we are trying to do, as we have done in past similar cases, is to work with (non-government organizations) and other third parties to see if they can provide assistance to these people," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack during a briefing in Washington.

About 220 people gathered on the sidewalk in Harare adjacent to the embassy, McCormack said. Embassy personnel were working to move most of the women and children into safe houses.

McCormack said the people were forced out of opposition party Movement for Democratic Change headquarters.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the June 27 runoff, citing violence and intimidation, leaving Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as the only candidate. Mugabe has been denounced by world leaders for the state-sanctioned campaign of violence against MDC supporters, who say his loyalists killed 80 MDC supporters.

"I think it's fair to assume that they're seeking some form of refuge," McCormack said.

When asked about the safety of the group in front of the embassy, the spokesman said he didn't have "any indication" otherwise.