Angelina Jolie was really moved by the strength of thousands of displaced citizens in war-torn Iraq during her third visit to the country on behalf of the United Nations.
|Last Updated: Jul 25, 2009, 09:12 AM IST|Source: Bureau
London: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie was really moved by the strength of thousands of displaced citizens in war-torn Iraq during her third visit to the country on behalf of the United Nations.The `Tomb Raider` actress, who is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador, met with four families who had been forced to relocate from their home in Abu Ghraib district to the west of Baghdad, femalefirst.co.uk reports.
The locals spoke to Jolie Thursday about the hardships they faced and their struggle to cover medical costs for various illnesses, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
After hearing about one man`s fight to raise his family in the tough conditions, the star said: "It takes a lot of strength for you to survive this life. I don`t know if I would be strong enough to survive this."
Jolie observed some changes in their conditions since her last visit, but admitted a lot still needed to be done before the refugees could return to normalcy.
"There are some changes. There are returns of displaced people, not a big number, but there is progress. This is a moment where things seem to be improving on the ground, but Iraqis need a lot of support and help to rebuild their lives," she said.
Jolie has vowed to return to do all she can to help refugees rebuild their lives.
"I want to come back and find you in a better place and in a different situation. We hope that UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the government will support you in getting a piece of land. You need help not because you are poor, but because you are the future of Iraq," she was quoted as telling the people.
The actress`s trip to the Middle East began Tuesday when she flew in with her seven-year-old son Maddox to attend the Arab Children`s Congress in Amman, Jordan, where she was a guest of honour.
IANS
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