Angelina Jolie met with Iraqi refugees in Syria on Friday

[S and S 12]

By ALBERT AJI (AP) – 6 days ago

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.

[doodlebugg 10]

I know that she does a lot of good things for people around the world but I just can't get past the whole breaking up of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. Nothing unfortunately will ever change my opinion of her.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I know that she does a lot of good things for people around the world but I just can't get past the whole breaking up of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. Nothing unfortunately will ever change my opinion of her.

sister doodle.... no one breaks up someone else's marriage if it ain't fractured to begin with. But hey, to each its own. I think Aniston is as insipid as tap water and never really stood a chance in the quest

In any case, I think both her and the Brad are doing great work. Hell, the only decent thing people who are celebs can do is get on with a cause -any cause- and really devote themselves to it. They have a voice and presence that most of us do not.

[doodlebugg 10]

I know that she does a lot of good things for people around the world but I just can't get past the whole breaking up of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. Nothing unfortunately will ever change my opinion of her.

sister doodle.... no one breaks up someone else's marriage if it ain't fractured to begin with. But hey, to each its own. I think Aniston is as insipid as tap water and never really stood a chance in the quest

In any case, I think both her and the Brad are doing great work. Hell, the only decent thing people who are celebs can do is get on with a cause -any cause- and really devote themselves to it. They have a voice and presence that most of us do not.

True but she's still the "other woman" to me. Sure the marriage may have been fractured to begin with but Brad should have either tried or gotten a divorce before he started onto Angelina and Angelina should have stayed the heck away from a married man. That's just my opinion and it's slanted since my husband did this to me.

I did like the movie Bone Collector though lol

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I know that she does a lot of good things for people around the world but I just can't get past the whole breaking up of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. Nothing unfortunately will ever change my opinion of her.

sister doodle.... no one breaks up someone else's marriage if it ain't fractured to begin with. But hey, to each its own. I think Aniston is as insipid as tap water and never really stood a chance in the quest

In any case, I think both her and the Brad are doing great work. Hell, the only decent thing people who are celebs can do is get on with a cause -any cause- and really devote themselves to it. They have a voice and presence that most of us do not.

True but she's still the "other woman" to me. Sure the marriage may have been fractured to begin with but Brad should have either tried or gotten a divorce before he started onto Angelina and Angelina should have stayed the heck away from a married man. That's just my opinion and it's slanted since my husband did this to me.

I did like the movie Bone Collector though lol

good movie, indeed.

Back to Topic: I think celebs should do more good deeds like the Pitt-Jolie do. Kudos to them

[meowmeowmeow 1]

nice, good for them!

Edited October 9, 2009 by enraptured

[Bajih 4]

My SO happens to be one of those Iraqis in Syria unwilling to go back to a country at war. His status is a temporary citizen and he has to get his papers signed by the government every month now- at a very high cost. We are scared right now that they will not renew it and he will be deported to Iraq.

Interesting that she met with the president of Syria. Syria does not provide much support for these refugees- They are unable to work and have no means to support themselves. What real change comes from her visit? Nice to do so- but action is needed to help these people. -as with any displaced people. What a hellish way to live.

Iraqis are unable to get visas to other countries. We are currently in 6 months of AP hell with the worry of not knowing where he may be week to week...and knowing we can't do anything about it but wait.

My SO is extremely depressed right now as this seems never ending and he is scared. It is getting harder every week.

Sorry for the downer, but that is my life right now. I am extremely worried about him and his situation.

[*JG* 2]

I know that she does a lot of good things for people around the world but I just can't get past the whole breaking up of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. Nothing unfortunately will ever change my opinion of her.

sister doodle.... no one breaks up someone else's marriage if it ain't fractured to begin with. But hey, to each its own. I think Aniston is as insipid as tap water and never really stood a chance in the quest

In any case, I think both her and the Brad are doing great work. Hell, the only decent thing people who are celebs can do is get on with a cause -any cause- and really devote themselves to it. They have a voice and presence that most of us do not.

Almost exactly what I wanted to say. Only you are so much more eloquent.

My SO happens to be one of those Iraqis in Syria unwilling to go back to a country at war. His status is a temporary citizen and he has to get his papers signed by the government every month now- at a very high cost. We are scared right now that they will not renew it and he will be deported to Iraq.

Interesting that she met with the president of Syria. Syria does not provide much support for these refugees- They are unable to work and have no means to support themselves. What real change comes from her visit? Nice to do so- but action is needed to help these people. -as with any displaced people. What a hellish way to live.

Iraqis are unable to get visas to other countries. We are currently in 6 months of AP hell with the worry of not knowing where he may be week to week...and knowing we can't do anything about it but wait.

My SO is extremely depressed right now as this seems never ending and he is scared. It is getting harder every week.

Sorry for the downer, but that is my life right now. I am extremely worried about him and his situation.

I am so sorry. Best of luck to you.

[Olive♥ 2]

I am so sorry to hear of your SO's conditions. It does sound so stressful. My prayers are with you both . Olive

My SO happens to be one of those Iraqis in Syria unwilling to go back to a country at war. His status is a temporary citizen and he has to get his papers signed by the government every month now- at a very high cost. We are scared right now that they will not renew it and he will be deported to Iraq.

Interesting that she met with the president of Syria. Syria does not provide much support for these refugees- They are unable to work and have no means to support themselves. What real change comes from her visit? Nice to do so- but action is needed to help these people. -as with any displaced people. What a hellish way to live.

Iraqis are unable to get visas to other countries. We are currently in 6 months of AP hell with the worry of not knowing where he may be week to week...and knowing we can't do anything about it but wait.

My SO is extremely depressed right now as this seems never ending and he is scared. It is getting harder every week.

Sorry for the downer, but that is my life right now. I am extremely worried about him and his situation.