Angelina Lolie jetted into Jordan yesterday to visit the country’s largest camp for Syrian refuges in her role as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to mark World Refugee Day today.
The 38-year-old actress called on world leaders to end the Syrian civil war, calling it the "worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century".
At a press conference, she urged leading politicians and diplomats to find a solution to the crisis and said: “I appeal to the world leaders - please, set aside your differences, unite to end the violence, and make diplomacy succeed.
"By the end of this year, half of Syria's population - 10 million people - will be in desperate need of food, shelter and assistance... The lives of millions of people are in your hands. You must find common ground."
She also defended refugees around the world, addressing the misconception that they are a burden on society.
In her words, “they are regarded as a burden, as helpless individuals, or as people who wish to move to someone else's country. That is not who they are. (Refugees are the ones) who will one day rebuild their countries, and a more peaceful world for us all."
Jolie was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, and this is the first time she has returned to her humanitarian work since she announced last month she had undergone a double mastectomy after discovering she has an inherited genetic mutation that puts her at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
This is however not her first public appearance since she announced her brave news, as she accompanied partner Brad Pitt to the London premiere of his new film World War Z earlier this month.
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