Tomb Raider Turns Good Will Ambassador

Dec 27, 2006

When actress Angelina Jolie isn't off raiding tombs, working on other flicks or spending time with her little boy, Maddox - she's helping out the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR.)

What is the UNHCR?

The UNHCR is an organization that [kwlink]protects[/kwlink] over 22 million people around the world including refugees and former refugees returning to their homes. The UNHCR is the largest international [kwlink]humanitarian organization[/kwlink] which provides necessities like food, water, shelter and medical assistance to refugees (with the help of more than 400 partners), in 122 [kwlink]countries[/kwlink]. When the government won't help, the UNHCR steps in to get the people to [kwlink]safety[/kwlink] and on their way to a somewhat normal life.

Angelina Jolie Helps Out the UNHCR

This girl interrupted her busy schedule to travel to Africa in order to learn about and help refugees under the care of UNHCR. Angelina paid her own way and from February 22 to March 9, 2001 (18 days) she spent time in Sierra Leone and Tanzania as a good will ambassador. During her stay, she visited amputee camps, war-injured camps and camps for women that had experienced various traumas. "I've started to really become aware of the world we live in, what's really going on," Angelina says. "I think we should try to be responsible and educate ourselves. I'm simply doing that and traveling, learning first hand, and seeing first hand what's going on."

Angelina Jolie Heads to Cambodia

In July of 2001 Angelina made another trek but this time to Cambodia in order to show her support for the UNHCR who are working to remove land mines. She also filmed a public service announcement video for World Refugee Day.

What Angelina Jolie Says About Her Work with UNHCR

"It's not like I did things that made much of a difference but something had changed," Angelina says. "I'd gone outside my own little world."

What UNHCR Says About Their Work with Angelina Jolie

The official UNHCR Web site thanks Angelina - saying, "USA for UNHCR is indebted to Ms. Jolie, not only for making these writings available, but also for the spirit of humanity that underlies her genuine and continuing interest in our cause."

Check out the official UNHCR site.