Angelina Jolie Visits Iraq

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie traveled to Iraq and Syria to see first-hand the humanitarian needs there — the plight of hundreds of thousands of families uprooted by the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

According to UNHCR, “Yesterday in Damascus (Syria), Jolie visited a UNHCR registration center and spent hours talking to Iraqi refugees in their homes. Today, she crossed into Iraq to visit 1,200 refugees trapped in a makeshift camp at the border, unable to flee Iraq, and later watched scores of Iraqis crossing into Syria at a border checkpoint.”

“I have come to Syria and Iraq to help draw attention to this humanitarian crisis and to urge governments to increase their support for UNHCR and its partners,” Angelina said. “My sole purpose in both countries is to highlight the plight of those uprooted by the war in Iraq.”

After talking with stranded refugees at Iraq’s Al Waleed camp on Tuesday, Angie said: “it is absolutely essential that the ongoing debate about Iraq’s future includes plans for addressing the enormous humanitarian consequences these people face.”

While in Iraq, Jolie also took the time to privately visit US troops and other Multi-National Forces based in the area.