Angelina And Brad In Syria To Shine Light On Iraqi Refugees

DAMASCUS, Syria — Angelina Jolie met with Iraqi refugees in Syria on Friday and urged the world not to forget the plight of those among them who cannot return home because of the trauma they suffered and the country's instability.

Jolie visited Syria in her role as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' refugee agency, UNHCR, and was accompanied by her partner, Brad Pitt, the agency said.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees have returned home from Syria and other neighboring countries over the past year, but many more are unable or unwilling to return to a country still shaken by violence.

"Most Iraqi refugees cannot return to Iraq in view of the severe trauma they experienced there, the uncertainty linked to the coming Iraqi elections, the security issues and the lack of basic services," a UNHCR statement quoted Jolie as saying. "They will, therefore, be in need of continued support from the international community."

She was referring to Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for Jan. 16.

It was the Academy Award-winning actress' second visit to Syria in two years. On Friday, she visited Damascus' poorest suburbs where she was welcomed by two Iraqi families.

She also discussed the Iraqi refugee crisis with Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife, Asma, UNHCR said.

UNHCR estimates that more than 4.2 million Iraqis have left their homes since the beginning of the conflict in 2003. To date, 215,000 Iraqi refugees are registered with UNHCR in Syria, the majority of whom are dependent on food and other material support.

The actress has worked with UNHCR since early 2001. In 2007, a foundation set up by Jolie and Pitt donated $1 million to help those affected by the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region and neighboring Chad.

Jolie has visited Iraq three times. Her last trip was in July, when she visited a settlement for displaced Iraqis in northwest Baghdad.

Comments

[balancedsolution]

Must be nice to make a few movies and rake in hundreds of millions of dollars and then go travel the world.

Eating ice cream in Jordan is really the amazing thing!

These actors are overpaid, just like athletes.

Anyone can be an actor!

Not everyone can discover cures for cancer or other diseases.

I give them credit though for adopting the world.

[IMEHO]

What are they doing for anybody other than themselves. Jolie's last trip to Burma when Brad needed an "Asian cause" to promote his movie, caused the dictator to take out the brunt of his anger on the refugees there who she subsequently forgot about. This is just glorified celebrity tourism. They are they main focus of their "efforts" and not the people they are supposed to be helping. They drift from cause to cause and never stick to anything. One gets less attention if one actually sticks to a cause. But then they are just in it for the attention and the kudos

[Jonni Rae]

I wish they would go to Gaza.

[IMEHO]

Why? They never actually take a stance on anything. They wouldn't want to alienate any group who might just go and see there movies. If they go to Gaza, they'll just make sure they have a few press releases saying nothing really at all. We'll hear that the situation over there is bad (which of course we could have deduced for ourselves", see Jolie or Pitt talking to a refugee. They and not the refugee will be the focus of their efforts and then they'll jet off. One wouldn't hear anything like Israel should end their occupation or the Palenstinians should stop the suicide bombers. Jolie and Pitt never pick a side or risk saying anything that might just be unpopular. They go to Gaza when it becomes the trendy cause of the day and then will support whatever the popular stance is and they will make the cause all about themselves. Whenever I see the Jolie Pitt "green" jet going somewhere my mind goes "back off you beasts", one can be sure that they will take attention away from the cause instead of highlighting it and give empty platitudes and what amounts to a Hallmark card's viewpoint of the situation. They say a lot but never really say anything at all.

[MedinaM]

Although I absolutely cannot stand these two, the work they have done is great. HOWEVER...let's be real. If we all had millions of dollars and never had to work again, wouldn't it give us lots of free time to go about and help others a lot more? They have that advantage. There are those in my shoes (college student trying to scrap enough money to pay for my next semester's tuition) and then there are those like Brad and Angelina. Believe me...if I was financially set to live a great life for the rest of my life and be able to afford to give my (future) children a great life, I would do plenty to give back.

But it astonishes me that there are plenty of non-famous people that give back every single day that don't get this kind of attention. These people get no recognition though and they don't ask for it either. Those are the people I truly commend. Those are the people that may not be rich, but they take on the additional work of giving back on top of trying to pay for their bills, taking care of their families, etc. I guess that's why it's great to have something like CNN Heroes. The non-famous people finally can get appreciated just as much.

[Ergon]

I think we can differentiate between celebrities who adopt certain causes for publicity's sake and those who genuinely try to give something back. And if they use their celebrity to publicise worthy causes, then, more power to them.
It's funny how people so soon forget Princess Diana. Of course they're two different people, but both, did good work, and the sniping seems mean spirited.
Or are we reacting because the subject, Iraqi refugees, strikes a little too close to home? We ARE responsible for their plight, of course.

[rzan1]

I agree with you. I much more admire those who have little to spare, but give anyway. 33% of Brad and Angie's income still allows them to live a very luxurious life and to increase their carbon footprint as they jet around the world playing hero for the cameras.

[avam2009]

Spot on Medina M! Agree absolutely - well said.

[scorpioleidy]

Nothing but love for Brad & Angie & the kids ... VIVA BRANGELINA!

[longtimegone]

Hopefully they will have more success in getting the rest of the world to focus on the plight of Iraqi refugees than they are having with HP readers and, probably Americans in general, who seem obsessed with making idols of the photogenic and then demolishing them as a form of entertainment, sport and therapy all rolled into one. It would be a pleasant surprise to see more than five percent of the posters here focusing on the issue that lies beneath all of this; in light of the fact that it was our own nation's political leadership that ordered the criminal invasion of Iraq which caused the refugee crisis, it is almost obscene that a pair of Americans attempting to focus attention on the issue become, by our own obsessive concern with media generated celebrity, the issue themselves. We seem intent upon finding more ways to demonstrate to the world that, as a people, we have become both trivial and cynical. I have no particular opinion about either of these celebrities, but reason tells me that were they as self-obsessed as most here seem to contend, they could be lounging around their own pool rather than dining with refugees in Jordan and Syria. To top it off, many here even try to frame their cynicism as concern for the couple's children. Unless you've done more than they to ameliorate the damage done by your government and your troops, why not try curbing your tongues?

[VOTER]

Another, BINGO!

[Jebedella Johnson]

Aw, you've found a hobby, Mom! Don't gamble away the money for your p ills!

[Pinky2]

Nice!

[Ergon]

Those concerned about the kids being uprooted might want to chill out. My dad was stationed all over the world and I've made friends with the English, Japanese, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian, Israeli, New Zealanders, Canadians and dozens of other nationalities.
Best thing that ever happened to me, the opportunity to travel, and I'm fortunate I was able to do the same for my kids. They still talk about the time I took them all over Europe, or Northern Quebec where we saw the Aurora Borealis and stayed at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, or our latest trip to England and Scotland. And we aren't well off like the Pitt Jolies or have nannies either.
But my point really is that these kids are fortunate to have parents who obviously love them but also have a commitment to social causes, and I think their international nature will teach them tolerance and understanding of others, plus languages! Cool.

[VOTER]

BINGO!

[Anjo6991]

Well said.

[Minsi]

Roots? You mean being stuck with a fact about yourself? These kids will be what I like to call, people of the world? They will feel comfortable anywhere they go. They will learn diversity and have a better understanding. So according to dumbasses out there military kids are also being abused then.

[gladhart1]

get a life all you parental experts.

[Joye]

I am concerned how these children are going to be, when they grow up. Brad and Angelina move around so much; these children have NO ROOTS. To me, it's abuse...

[Posterella]

I couldn't agree with you more. I just saw my friend's son who is almost four. He and my friend (the boy's mom) have been moving around quite a bit but not nearly as much as the Brangelina kids. He is clearly hyperactive and his physicians told his mom that he has behavioral problems. When children don't feel secure in their environment, they act out. Those patterns (neuro net in the brain) become engrained. The children will have problems then for life.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Both of you appear to have the stupid gene. There are thousands of well-adjusted children that are world traveled due to their parents careers and not just entertainment careers.

[CydMiller]

Wow. I guess we better worry about all those military children that move around. What about all those people that are consultants that move around. What about those children. What about those other evil Hollywood people that move between multiple homes. Or just the top 2% that move among their multiple homes.

But let's just stick to average people. Very few people stay in the same place or same job anymore. Moving around is the norm. Now I know the world seems scary to alot of people. It just seems to have passed you by...I'm frankly surprised we have been able to evolve at all.

[tploomis]

I couldn't agree with you less. I think a major problem in America is our insulation and the lack of exposure for our children to different cultures.

[pattyrenee]

I'm an Army Brat. I grew up all over the world. I have no home but the one I make with myself, grown children, and my animals. I have close friends, that I've made and now live close to in my older years. wouldn't trade my life that I've lived for one in one town, one state, one country. I like knowing the world. Brad and Angie, and family, can do the same without the military to pay for it!!

[Posterella]

Brangelina has raised the craft of using children and refugees as human shields to an art form.

[rzan1]

Truth.

[NoComment9]

Absolutely, you can barely remember the selfish and dubious circumstances of the way they got together.

[VOTER]

"Absolutely, you can barely remember the selfish and dubious circumstances of the way they got together."

And to think you have all of the personal facts first hand and
are BFF with one or more of the persons. Who knew?

Imagine:
They are the FIRST TWO individuals to fall in love when one was
married to another.

[PhilipB]

Thank you to Jolie and Pitt.
I cannot begin to thank these two people who have gone beyond what anyone else has done in their position, and they shine a light on wretched conditions of many good people and families.
Imagine being taken from your home and afraid to go back, with no money left; the devastating and real stories of the displaced are not "the other", but people like you and me.
I have to give tremendous credit to Jolie and Pitt who have taken their roles with the UN seriously and worked behind the scenes. their celebrity does give them access, but their commitment has been un matched and an inspiration.

[NeoconGal]

Angelina and Brad are in Syria to get media attention.

[KIVPossum]

Yes, and if their media attention gets some attention for the refugees, good for them.

[PhilipB]

Thank you, and fanned!!!!!
Thank you for speaking out for the displaced in war. You are a good person who understands that we must help those in devastating circumstances, if only with our good words.
These are good families, not scary people. their stories are heartbreaking, and yes they have their dignity. They only want a chance at peace.

[andj]

its cheaper then paying for PR

[Phxgwen]

Jolie pays for all over her own expenses when she does field missions with UNHCR.

The photographer used is from UNHCR so that they can use the images on their website in regards to her field missions. They attribute her missions and media coverage to an increase in donations.. so make your own deductions as to who benefits more from the humanitarian works..

Besides there are easier ways to donate your time and money then going to war torn or disease ridden or third world countries and meeting with actual refugees in camps.. if it was for PR only I would imagine she would have given up on it instead of doing it for over 10 years.

[levoyageur]

a typical m0 r0n1c comment from the boohoo sisterhood

[Mum]

You're an idiot. And I'm not going to apologize for stating the obvious.

They could get media attention by going to the post office. They hardly need to go to Syria to get it. And, in case you haven't been paying attention or have been watching too much Fox News or listening to too much Limbaugh, Jolie is a recipient of many humanitarian awards and is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Pitt has also been involved in humanitarian relief work, and has devoted a lot of his time and money to rebuilding New Orleans.

What have you done?

[VOTER]

I agree.

They could have had lunch at The Ivy in Hollywood, LA or Beverly Hills
and received full media attention but not them.
Nooooooooooo,
they had to go to Syria and help out the Refugees in the camps.

[ullyses]

Yeah riiiiiiiiiiiight. They had to leave the country to get the media to pay attention to them. I"ll just let you think about that one NeoconGal.

[StarDagger]

Angelina is a Goddess, and Brad a God.

They spread their light and kindness to so many people who can not help themselves.
It is nice to see such incredible people spending so much of their time and money to help others. Angelina gives 33% !!!! of her income to charity, awesome woman!

I am in awe of these two luminaries.

Thanks eternal,
Star*Dagger

[El Camino]

Have you ever seen Martin Scorcese's "The King of Comedy"? You might find it instructive.

[StarDagger]

Yes great movie, and a total non-sequitur here.

[persimmon8]

If they are you concept of God you are a very misguided human being. I recommend you begin to study the Great Tradition of this subject for real. I suggest the non-dual traditions as they are the highest.

Celebrity worship is nothing but perpetuating the myth that fame, riches, attention and experience will make you happy. Neither of them seem particularly happy to me. I personally have no complaint or criticism about either of them except the craziness they perpetuate around them to some extent.

I hope the kids survive the situation they are being brought up in.

[TigersEye]

I highly doubt they give such a high percentage to charity. Otherwise, as PR friendly as they are, we'd be hearing ALL about it. And your god comments are hysterical. Delusional, but hysterical.

[LMPE]

That's more than I can say for Bill Kristol.