The UNHCR special envoy says that 'by helping refugees, we are investing in people who will one day rebuild their countries, and a more peaceful world for us all.'
- Jun 21, 2013
AceShowbiz - UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie released a statement to honor World Refugee Day on June 20. The actress and mother of six, once again, urged people and world leaders to find solution to end conflicts which caused the death of 93,000 people and created 1.6 million refugees.
In a statement released by UNHCR, Jolie shared her story of meeting refugees who seek for safety in other country. "Refugees are often forgotten, and frequently misunderstood. They are regarded as a burden, as helpless individuals, or as people who wish to move to someone else's country. That is not who they are," the "Salt" actress said, adding that those people lost their homes and faced death of family members.
"Faced with war and oppression they have chosen not to take up arms, but to try to find safety for their families. They deserve our respect, our acknowledgment and our support - not just today but for the duration of their ordeal," she said in the statement. "By helping refugees, here in Zaa'tari camp and across the globe, we are investing in people who will one day rebuild their countries, and a more peaceful world for us all. So on this day, I honor them, and I am privileged to be with them," she concluded.
The Oscar winner traveled to Jordan on Tuesday, June 18, to meet refugees from Syrian conflict who sought for shelter in the country. Jolie and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres visited Zaa'tari camp on Thursday. Zaa'tari is the second largest refugee camp which is packed with 120,000 people.
Jolie told reporters, "The Syrian crisis here in Jordan and across the region is the most acute humanitarian crisis anywhere in the world today. I pray that all parties in the Syrian conflict will stop targeting civilians and allow access to humanitarian aid. I appeal to world leaders to set aside your differences, unite to end the violence, make diplomacy succeed. The UN Security Council must live up to its promises."
