“Hollywood star and international humanitarian Angelina Jolie arrived in Pakistan to draw international attention and show support for the more than 33 million people affected by catastrophic floods.”
This year’s monsoon rains in Pakistan were extraordinary and caused flash floods that claimed the lives of over 1,500 people. Over 33 million people were displaced as a result of the unpredictable weather, which also devastated thousands of homes and farmlands across the nation.
“Ms. Jolie is visiting to witness and gain understanding of the situation, and to hear from people affected directly about their needs, and about steps to prevent such suffering in the future,” the IRC said in a statement.
She visited the company’s emergency response activities and met staff members helping displaced individuals. According to the statement, Jolie’s visit was likely to raise awareness of the issue of climate change while also encouraging the international community—particularly the countries that produce the most carbon emissions—to take immediate action and support developing countries that bear the brunt of environmental degradation.
The outlet further shared, “Jolie, who previously visited victims of the 2010 floods in Pakistan, and the 2005 earthquake, will visit the IRC’s emergency response operations and local organizations assisting displaced people including Afghan refugees.”
The report further shared, “Pakistan, which has contributed just 1% of global carbon emissions, is also the second largest host of refugees globally, its people having sheltered Afghan refugees for over forty years. Jolie will highlight the need for urgent support for the Pakistani people and long-term solutions to address the multiplying crises of climate change, human displacement and protracted insecurity we are witnessing globally.”
Do you think such acts by celebrity ambassadors inspire others worldwide to come forth as well? Is it just their duty as UN representatives, or are there genuine concerns?
