Angelina Jolie Visits Syrian Refugees in Jordan for World Refugee Day
Angelina Jolie's visit to Syrian refugees in Jordan is only the beginning of her time overseas for World Refugee Day on June 20.
Sent by the UNHCR Special Envoy on Tuesday, Jolie's visit was "to show support for Syria's refugees, to call on the world to address their plight, and to better understand needs in Jordan and other countries in the region most directly affected by this devastating conflict," Us Magazine reported.
"The worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century is unfolding in the Middle East today," Jolie said. "The international response to this crisis falls short of the vast scale of this human tragedy. Much more humanitarian aid is needed, and above all, a political settlement to this conflict must be found."
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1.6 million people have fled from Syria into bordering countries Jordan and Lebanon and Turkey since an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011, the U.N. said.
"By the end of this year half of Syria's population -- 10 million people -- are expected to be displaced and in desperate need," Jolie insisted.
Jordan is home to 540,000 Syrian refugees, 150,000 of whom are staying in the Zaatari camp near the border.
Over 93,000 people in Syria have been killed since the uprising.
In other news, Brad Pitt was informed of comments made about his wife, Angelina Jolie, and her decision to have a double mastectomy.
"I have to say I feel a little differently. I have that gene mutation too, and it's not something I would believe in for myself," Etheridge, who like Jolie, tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene, told The Washington Blade. "I wouldn't call it the brave choice. I actually think it's the most fearful choice you can make when confronting anything with cancer."
Pitt was unaware of the comments and did not appear to be upset about the statement.
"Melissa's an old friend of mine. I'm sure we'll talk on the phone. I don't know what it is," he explained.
