Angelina Jolie Appeals for Aid to Pakistan

Topics: News

Actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie (in black scarf) leaves after a visit to a makeshift camp for Pakistani flood victims in the Mohib Bhanda area of Nowshera district on Sept. 7, 2010. (A. MAJEED/AFP/Getty) Images)

JALOZAI, Pakistan (CBS/AP) "Salt" star Angelina Jolie has issued a plea for aid after meeting with flood victims in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday.

The actress' two-day visit was meant to spur the flow of aid money - from both individuals and governments - which has slowed in recent days.

Pictures: Angelina Jolie
Pictures: Celeb Do-Gooders
Pictures: Pakistani Flood Victims

The 35-year-old actress, who serves as a "goodwill ambassador" for the U.N.'s refugee agency, said she met with many people whose lives have been devastated by the floods, believed to be that country's worst natural disaster ever.

Her visits included mothers who lost their children and an elderly Pakistani couple who feared they would never be able to rebuild the home they lost.

"I am very moved by them and I hope that I am able to, today and tomorrow, be able to do something to help bring attention to the situation for all of the people in need in Pakistan," Jolie told reporters after visiting a refugee camp in the Jalozai area.

She toured the area wearing a long black robe and a black headscarf adorned with a thin red stripe - the kind of conservative clothing worn by many Muslim women in Pakistan.

The floods began in the northwest at the end of July after extremely heavy monsoon rains and slowly surged south along the Indus River, swallowing up hundreds of villages and towns and killing more than 1,700 people. Another 17 million have been affected by the floods, and many will need emergency assistance to survive.

The United Nations issued an appeal for $460 million in emergency funds on Aug. 11, but only $294 million, or 64 percent, has been received so far, and donations have more or less dried up in recent days.

Ajay Chhibber, a U.N. assistant secretary general, said he hopes Jolie's visit will have "a very big impact" on the inflow of aid money and will keep people focused on the crisis.

"We need more ... well-known figures who can keep the spotlight and focus because people tend to forget internationally," said Chhibber, who is also the U.N. development agency's regional director for Asia. He spoke to reporters during a visit to Islamabad.,/p>

Jolie has promoted the cause of refugees in Bosnia, Iraq and Colombia, among other countries. This summer, while promoting her latest action film, "Salt," she spoke out about the persecution faced by repatriated north Korean dissidents.

4 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by imnho September 9, 2010 12:15 PM EDT: She takes her job as goodwill ambassador very seriously. She actually fufills the job that she has signed up for. Although she is very ritch, she lacks sufficent funds to pay for a disaster of the magnatiude like what has happened in Pakistan. She is taking out time from here scheduale to visit what must be a very dangerious and depressing area of the world. She is doing her part to make the world a better place. A lot of actress would not even let the self be bothered by the event.; Reply to this comment


by betterusa September 7, 2010 2:10 PM EDT: The US gives Pakistan $1.5 billion per year in aid; the US has sent another $150 million in relief aid. In essence, we are (the US taxpayer) already giving our hard earned $$$ in aid to Pakistan. OUR politicians need to make sure Pakistan uses the aid we already sent for the victims; not to pad the corrupt government?s politicians in that country. This is never done since we have no person (or agency) responsible to outline what and where the aid was being used and exact amounts for each type of aid. The Red Cross is already being criticized by the Pakistan government and victims for closing relief efforts when mobs of people become too unruly to pass out packages. How many of these victims even like the US and appreciate our support?; Reply to this comment


by thesevenveils September 7, 2010 10:56 AM EDT: She is adopting two Paki babies to add to her menagerie. They each come with a personal jihad manual and bomb vest.; Reply to this comment


by enaid3 September 7, 2010 10:51 AM EDT: WHY DOESN'T ANGELINA GIVE THEM ALL OF HER MONEY? SHE SEEMS TO HAVE ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.; Reply to this comment