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

[Zapatista]

HOW LONG TILL SHE ADOPTS AN IRAQI KID ?

[indc]

would that be a bad thing?

[Prolix247]

Zapatista,
I think you mean "Buy" a kid...

[kellygrrrl]

Are you aware of the percentage of her income that she donates?
Anyone else here who can say the same?
Certainly not me.
It's pretty impressive.

[HumeSkeptic]

I think you mean "Buy" a kid... Prolix247
-------

You think that because you are utterly depraved.

[Prolix247]

The newest form of hollywood rehab - pretend you are saving the world...

Let me ask all of you a serious question.

Do you think Angelina's visit will actually help anyone other than her own image?

[BuyRubles]

GIVE IT A REST ALREADY.

Would you rather have a celebrity act like exhibits A and B (Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan) or C and D (Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie)?

[Prolix247]

Please answer my question. I am interested to know your opinion?

[kellygrrrl]

Don't leave out E, Mia Farrow. She has been doing the work similar to that of Angelina Jolie for years and has received a sh!tload of criticism for it.
I imagine the PerezHilton minded PROLIX will now jump in with his kegger-induced cheers for Brad Pitt to "pull a Woody Allen."
Prolix, spare us, huh?

[drumz]

A different rehab than the first great Puppet that Hollywood B movie star Ronnie; playing preznit?

[Prolix247]

Please answer my question. I am interested to know your opinion?

[ObamaSeeChange]

Sometimes I wonder at how the Chimp could have a 23% approval rate, then I come here and find them all.....lo­l

[Prolix247]

Please answer my question. I am interested to know your opinion?

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Thank you for seeing through the smoke Prolix. I've seen enough smoke in the past few years to be blinded by it.

[Chandidevi]

And you're still blind.

[Prolix247]

I knew I would get people upset about my post, but did you notice no one answered the question. Every one is so star struck in this country they cannot see propaganda when it hits them in the face.

Instead they attack me. If anyone took the time to read my profile they would see I am a middle of the road liberal democrat who is a veteran and a father and is concerned that little shiny objects get more attention then the possibility of the US bombing Iran...

I somtimes think that stories like this are planted to see just how distracted the general population really is.

Bomb Iran Anyone?

[HumeSkeptic]

Do you think Angelina's visit will actually help anyone other than her own image?
---------

Yes.

[Prolix247]

How?

[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.

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

At least it detracts from the fact that she's a homewrecker! Maybe she's out there picking up somebody elses husband?

It's pathetic that people like her are seen as the 'do gooders' of our society...­. she's as genuine as GWya and his buddies.

[drumz]

Homewrecker? What are you talking about? What, Brad couldn't decide for himself who he wanted to be with?

She is trying to save people not kill them as your hero GWShrub does.

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Don't you DARE ever use the words Hero and GWShrub or the like in the same sentence.

If you doubt me...look into her history... any man who is taken... looks like a good prospect to her. It must be the challenge of the unattainable.

If you're married... maybe she'll come for you someday too.

[ObamaSeeChange]

Heh, except for the fact that they are at opposite ends of the moral spectrum although that probably doesn't matter to someone so sarcastically cynical.

[Chandidevi]

When was your last trip to Iraq?

[brooklyncitizen]

What are you doing for our society? you sound like you are too unhappy with your own life to make a difference­.Pathetic.

[HumeSkeptic]

she's as genuine as GWya and his buddies.
---------

I don't know her as personally as you seem to, but what she is doing is going to be very helpful. These poor Iraqis, victims of our agression, have been largely ignored by the West.

[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.

[cblcar]

I would never have the courage to go to some of the places she goes, putting herself at risk. She's truly one who "walks the walk" and I admire her. Regarding her professional life, "A Mighty Heart" was a remarkable, deeply moving film. I wish more people had seen it.

[kellygrrrl]

She truly has proven herself to be a remarkable human being. Is she flawed, absolutely! But she is one of the few celebrities who really stands out on humanitarian issues and I admire her a lot.

[Jimmyboyo]

well said Kellygrrrl

well said indeed

A remarkable Human being who like all human beings is flawed, but none the less remarkable.

[Jimmyboyo]

Good for her.

The refugee crisis isn't being adressed. these are not insurgents. these are innocent men, women, and children fleeing for their lives.


Her doing this and Brad just recently down in Louisiana visiting the sight of his green housing project for those in need = these are real celebs who know what to do with their fame= use it to help others less fortunate.

love Brad and Angelina

[allwarisbad]

Mention of the "Military-­Industrial Complex" as reason for the Iraq War and the atrocities being done for its survival seems tough for even Huffpost to digest. Thus I am putting this item in the blogs for all to see:
Whistleblowers on Fraud in Iraq Facing Penalties
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/24/ap4052736.html
Sorry if it not directly pertinent to this item. But you have got to read it!

[mactheknife]

I see enough of that bullshit daily on the web and in the left wing media. I'll pass.

[Jimmyboyo]

thanks for that link allwarisbad

[PKSSK]

Response to allwarisbad, this was released last week on MSNBC.com and not a mention on Olbermann or other main stream media outlets, nevermind huff post. Very Sad, this should be all over the media, instead we have a GOP Senator who seeks sex from men in public restrooms all over media.

Google: The Great Iraq Swindle Rolling Stone, for a real education of the profiteering that goes in Iraq.