UN says number refugees, displaced at 18-year high
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The UN refugee agency says more than 45.2 million people were forced to flee homes last year, an 18-year high mainly due to wars in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says globally as of the end of 2012 there were 15.4 million refugees, 937,000 asylum seekers and 28.8 million people who fled homes but stayed within their nation's borders. UNCHR reported Wednesday the Syrian civil war was a major factor in the 6 percent increase over 42.5 million people displaced in 2011. (AP)
