Angelina Visits Refugees And Troops In Syria And Iraq After Months Of Preparation

Angelina Jolie wrapped up a two-day trip to Syria and Iraq Tuesday in her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Jolie took this trip to witness the hundreds of thousands of families uprooted by the war in Iraq and to visit with US soldiers.

A source close to Jolie told Huffington Post, "It's been in the works for about six months. She spent a lot of time being briefed by experts. She met with a large number of experts on Syria, Iraq, the refuge crisis and other issues in preparation for the trip." The source added, "She considered her time with American troops to be one of the most important parts of the trip."

Yesterday Jolie visited a UNHCR registration center in Damascus, spent time with those registering and spoke at length with Iraqi refugees in their homes. Thousands of Iraqi refugees are registering with UNHCR, nearly a quarter of whom are victims of violence and torture.

Today she crossed the border into Iraq, visited some of the 1,200 refugees trapped in a makeshift camp who can't flee Iraq and witnessed 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," Jolie 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 today Jolie added, "It is absolutely essential that the ongoing debate about Iraq's future includes plans for addressing the enormous humanitarian consequences these people face."

Jolie then broke off from UNHCR and privately visited both U.S. troops and those from other nations.

The trip was a low-key one for Jolie. Asked how the actress/activist had traveled to the region, the source told Huffington Post, "She flew over commercially to Syria. No staff."

Comments

[SpanishDancer]

I do not question her motives at all on this one. A lot of her humanitarianism is and has been publicity-seeking, but she sees to have a "do the right thing" approach, which includes sticking with what she started (being a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR six years ago - I guess her contract was renewed.) Much of the "media blitz" is no longer directly created by her; due to her past media manipulation and antics, cameras - and interest - follow wherever she goes. I do believe she is distressed by the pain in the world and sincerely wants to help. However, unfortunately, I fear she is powerless to do anything. There is no such thing as "raising awareness." Educated people who are in a position to do something are already well aware of the world's problems, and are overwhelmed. Her trips help no one. They change nothing. She is not feeding, clothing or housing anyone, and she is not returning anyone home. That sad, cruel fact must give her pause ... one day ...

[gakabani]

This trip has a direct message to president Bush and cabal: THERE ARE 1.2+ million Iraqi refugees and sooner or later they will go back to Iraq with broken hearts and broken families.

They will hate America for the rest of their lives.

Additions are welcomed.

[mamacat]

Anjelina has more courage than I do. I admire Brad Pitt for having the humility to support her.

[Jonahson]

What Angelina is practising is simply compassion from the heart.

Not for fame nor for personal gain,
Wherever you go with loving kindness from your heart,
You will always find true friends who will protect you.

Carry on the good work Angelina.

[adled]

I traveled through Iran to get to India in 1979. Though it was before the hostage crises the goverment was being run by its new revolutionary guard. I remember being quite apprehensive and there were even some Turks I met in Istanbul who told me I would be making the biggest mistake in my life. I'm glad I made the trip and I believe many of the negative comments here are being made by people refusing to exercise their imagination some. It is at least no light thing Angie is doing.

[truthinamerica]

Not buying another Jolie media blitz, sorry, but I don't see Robin Williams and everyone else who goes to entertain having it splashed on every page on the web. True humility and goodwill is doing it for others without reward or recognition for yourself. Not calling the media and getting your picture everywhere. Why doesn't this woman ever stay home with the kids she had to collect and save? Last week New York, the week before was Chicago, the week before was LA, the week before was Prague and the month before that was Paris, before that was New Orleans etc. etc. etc. Who's helping her children? Oh right, the band of Nanny's and Manny's... I would rather see Mia Farrow's journey in Darfur, she is genuine.

[TequilaMockingbird]

So let me ask you.. If you had the same access to the press Angelina Jolie does.. What would you say or do?

Every time I see a picture of her out and about she has at least two of her children with her.. Seems reasonable and normal to me..

Mia Farrow also does wonderful work.. How the fuck do you know she is genuine any more than you think you know Jolie is not?

[totalliberal]

She goes to these places to draw attention to the suffering of the people.

The press has to have shiny things dangled in front of them before they will cover a story.

Is that her fault or the fault of the stenographers who pass themselves off as journalists?

[esquire07]

What a degenrate nation the US has become to allow this to happen. To turn a blind eye to te suffering while Bush/Cheney and company fill their greedy pockets with blood money.

Disgusting.

They do not hate us for our freedom, like the dry drunk, liar, treasonous Bush would have you think.

They hate us becuase we will kill old women and children to get their Oil.

Bush and Cheney should be tried and hung.

[roobeer]

Well said.

[HumeSkeptic]

Excellent post, esquire. Thank you.

[HumeSkeptic]

This is why I have said rtepeatedly that we have become a very sick country.

Just the fact that so many of the posters here find something wrong with what Angelina Jolie is doing is a good indicator.

It is one thing to question and wonder how effective her efforts would be. But, one has to wonder about the mental state of people questioning whether the deed is noble and right.

What is wrong with so many of our fellow Americans?

[OneVoiceInACrowd]

We are a very divided country it seems. It is not so much what is best for the country but what is best for the party. Both sides are responsible for this.

Those that question the nobleness of her action believe that she is a liberal and as such must be doing it to propagate an liberal agenda. And further more those that support her efforts are also furthering that agenda as well.

Is this the sign of us losing our humanity?

[TequilaMockingbird]

Not to mention our GotDamned Minds!

[kellygrrrl]

Has ANY politician ever flown coach on their own dime for a photo op to raise awareness of the plight of refugees of any country, much less a country where we are AT LEAST partially responsible for their situation?????

[forpeace]

*

"kellygrrrl
Has ANY politician ever flown coach on their own dime for a photo op to raise awareness of the plight of refugees of any country, much less a country where we are AT LEAST partially responsible for their situation?????"
==========­==========­=========

Partially???!!!

I hope you mean totally.

*

[kellygrrrl]

ForPeace, yes, just between you and I (hahaha) I personally do feel "totally" is a far more accurate word. However, I am so tired of being attacked by f^cktards this week that I am making a real effort to be as impartial as possible while stating my opinions.
UGH! this week I have felt more like I am commenting on PerezHilton.com or DrunkenStepfather than HuffPost.
Thank God school's back in session this week, even those remedial ones for the degenerates.

[loki]

Im glad to see she isnt dumb enough to think it was going to be like a walk through an Indiana open Market Place! She knows its a very deadly place, thanks to the Weapons of Mass Destruction, Freedom pushing ,peace keeping invasion of Bush War Profiteers Inc.

By the way, anyone hear that Bush is pushing the same crap today for Iran. Stop Iran before they have the Bomb.. Ohh Ahh, Im shaking in my boots. I dont think Iran would use a bomb on the US unless we invaded them. I think they are more worried about Iran with a bomb because then Israeli's politicians couldnt pull the crap they do now. Im not talking about Israeli people or their religion, Im talking about their politicians. I know many Israelis, and they dont like what their politicians have been doing for years either. Just like we dont like what ours are doing.

[BuyRubles]

are YOU mental as well? go to Haaretz and read what the Israelis say about Arabs and Iran. It will SHOCK you.

[BuyRubles]

every week the Israelis talk about taking military action against Syria and Iran...

[OneVoiceInACrowd]

Maybe Bush realizes that if Iran gets Iraq's Oil they will be strong enough to crush Opec and their Saudi controllers.

Maybe he knew this all along and knew our hand would be forced no matter what as long as he destabilized Iraq.

Are we suckers or what?

[Cameiros]

Max Fusion.
Sounds like you're a republican;
which means you must be gay-or severely repressed.
I love how republicans talk tough and never have anything to back it up with, except a whole lot of fear...

[HumeSkeptic]

Maxfusion is worse than a Republican. Not all Republicans are this depraved.

[HumeSkeptic]

I just fell in love with Angelina Jolie for doing this.

[HumeSkeptic]

Join Angelina Jolie in this very worthwhile effort.

https://www.kintera.org/site/c.hjJTJaMQIuE/b.2819357/k.3C5E/Join_Angelina_Jolie_in_Supporting_the_UN_Refugee_Agency/apps/ka/sd/donorcustom.asp



This is one small way to tell Iraqis that we are sorry for what has been done to them in our name.

Please! Do it.

[royjeffries]

What did the months of preparation involve? Additional Botox treatments? Practicing how to furrow a brow? Learning how to say "S-ee-ria" instead of "S-eye-ria"? I bet those refugees are feeling better already now that she's "drawn our attention".

[HumeSkeptic]

What did the months of preparation involve?
----

Read the article, idiot.

It will take a lot for those refugees to feel better. One thing that might help them vent their anger is to have people like you himiliated in front of them.

[royjeffries]

I did read the "article" and you're a fool if you think a celebrity photo op is going to do anything to help these people.

[forpeace]

*

Good for her!

How many times Bush/Cheney have visited the Iraqi and Afghan Refugees so far??!!

*

[HumeSkeptic]

They don't even visit our dead. Give me a break.

[forpeace]

*

"HumeSkeptic
They don't even visit our dead. Give me a break."
==========­==========­==========

Yes, you're right!

*

[OneVoiceInACrowd]

Most excellent point!

[OneVoiceInACrowd]

PS thanks for the reading - truly depressing to see it unfolding before my eyes.