On World Refugee Day, U.N. notes 45 million people displaced

UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (UPI) -- Noting World Refugee Day, the United Nations Thursday highlighted the plight of refugees and urged governments to resolve conflicts that cause displacements.

"There are now more than 45 million refugees and internally displaced people, the highest level in 20 years. Last year alone someone was forced to abandon their home every four seconds," U.N, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.

Wednesday the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees released a report showing the number of refugees around the world at the end of 2012 was 45.2 million, up from 42.5 million at the end of 2011. The report said the conflict in Syria was a major factor in the increase in displacement.