Cape Town – Angelina Jolie has shed light on the devastation in West Mosul, Iraq – an urban area held captive by ISIS for three years until its liberation in July 2017 – during her 61st mission, and fifth to Iraq, with the UN Refugee Agency.
The actress/director/activist serves as Special Envoy for the United Nations Refugee Agency – who provide life-saving aid and protection to refugees and the forcibly displaced.
During her visit - which took place over Father's Day weekend, while her kids visited their dad Brad Pitt - Angelina met with displaced families as they returned to their devastated city after its liberation.
“I really feel that now is a time that we have to do as much as we can to make sure you are given all that you deserve to be able to move forward and have stability,” Angie tells the families.
WATCH A VIDEO HERE:
Describing her experience, Angelina says: “These people have lost everything and the trauma and the loss that they have suffered is unparalleled.
“They are here on their own with very little support – next to nothing and they are rebuilding themselves with their bare hands.”
The mom-of-six adds that although they have nothing they are still happy because they are free.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
Following her visit, Angelina said in a statement: “When there is not even the bare minimum of aid, refugee families cannot receive adequate medical treatment, women and girls are left vulnerable to sexual violence, many children cannot go to school and we squander the opportunity of being able to invest in refugees so that they can acquire new skills and support their families.
“This is the picture in Iraq, in Syria, and wherever in the world you find refugees and displaced people today. The only answer is to end the conflicts that are forcing people to flee their homes—and for all governments to meet their responsibilities.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE: