Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Angelina Jolie visits flood relief camps in Nowshehra

NOWSHERA: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie Tuesday visited flood-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to draw the world's attention towards the plight of 21 million people affected by the country's worst-ever floods.

Jolie, the 34-year-old actress and roving envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, spent time talking to long-term Afghan refugees, Pakistani communities and aid workers in Nowshehra.

It was Jolie's fourth visit to Pakistan since she became a UNHCR goodwill ambassador in 2001.

"From what I understand the situation is on a scale that we have not really seen the likes of. It's on a huge scale," Jolie told reporters at a camp for the displaced.

"It is extraordinarily complex situation, it's not just the floods," said Jolie, referring to the 1.7 million Afghan refugees already living in temporary camps in the northwest.

She also distributed gifts among children and women in relief camps.

Wearing a red-lined black cloak that covered her head, Jolie said she was upset to see the people's plight and called for donations through various channels, including the United Nation's official appeal.

Last week, Jolie released a video message appealing for greater public support for Pakistan's relief efforts, and she has herself donated 100,000 dollars to the flood appeal.