News
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Pakistan needs sustained, long-term help: Jolie
* Hollywood star and UNHC ambassador visits flood relief camp in Jalozai
JALLOZAI: Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie called on Tuesday for constant and long-term assistance for Pakistan to help it cope with its worst-ever floods.
“It’s an extraordinarily complex situation,” Jolie told reporters after visiting a camp in the Jallozai area, northwestern Pakistan, housing thousands of refugees.
“These are very, very long, extended situations that need our constant support for a very, very long time,” she added.
Jolie, who is visiting flood-hit regions as the personal envoy of UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, said she would encourage governments as well as individuals to help Pakistan ease the suffering.
Clad in a black shawl, she talked to displaced women and children as she walked through the camp.
The 35-year-old actress said she met with many people whose lives had been devastated by the floods, including mothers who lost their children and an elderly couple who feared they would never be able to rebuild the home they lost.
“I am very moved by them and I hope that I am able to, today and tomorrow, be able to do something to help bring attention to the situation for all of the people in need in Pakistan,” Jolie said.
The UN issued an appeal for $460 million in emergency funds on August 11, but only $294 million, or 64 percent, had been received so far, and donations have more or less dried up in recent days. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk