Angelina Jolie Humanitarian work
88 videos • 25,728 views • by AngelinaJolieUNHCR Angelina Jolie UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and some more her activity news ↓ ↓ ↓ UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie urges the world not to forget Iraqi refugees News Stories, 2 October 2009 DAMASCUS, Syria, October 2 (UNHCR) UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie called Friday on the international community not to forget the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees who remain in exile despite a relative improvement in the security situation in their homeland. Tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians have returned to their country from Syria and other nearby countries over the past year, but many more are unable or unwilling to return to a country still rocked by violence. As the Iraqi story has largely disappeared from global headlines, so has the plight of the refugees. Jolie, returning to visit Iraqi refugees in the poorest suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus after a 2007 visit, said these refugees still needed vital help and support. "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. They will, therefore, be in need of continued support from the international community." The acclaimed American actress, travelling with her partner Brad Pitt, was welcomed into the homes of two Iraqi families in the Jaramana district of southern Damascus. The first family, grouping seven people, fled to Syria in 2006, while the second family, members of a minority religious group, fled to Iraq in July this year after a son, Waleed,* was twice abducted and his mother, Hoda,* physically abused. The family patriarch, Fares,* had to pay US$25,000 in ransom the first time Waleed was abducted. The second time, both son and mother were snatched, and Fares had to find US$40,000. The two were released, but they had suffered a terrible ordeal, including torture. "I was assaulted every day for 13 days by up to 10 men," Hoda* recalled, her voice trembling. "I wanted to kill myself and the only reason I decided not to go ahead is because of my children," she added. On the release of Hoda and Waleed, the family fled to Syria. "I'm grateful to you for sharing this story," a clearly moved Jolie said, clutching Hoda's hand. "It helps to make it easier to understand your problems. There's a lot of suffering in this part of the world; you're a very brave and strong woman for putting this behind you for the sake of your children." The family said the Syrians have been very welcoming, but they still find it difficult remaining in the country and wish to be resettled. Meanwhile they are relying on food and financial support from UNHCR. more read http://screamingangie.com/ http://screamingangie.blogspot.com/ http://www.unhcr.org/4aac232a9.html ✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖