UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie supports displaced during visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 21 August 2010 (UNHCR) -UN refugee agency Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has been in Bosnia and Herzegovina today, meeting the country's Presidency and discussing a number of issues, including the plight of the country's displaced people during a one-day visit.
Her visit, a private trip in support of her work in the region, was partly facilitated by UNHCR and was the second this year to Bosnia and Herzegovina following her previous visit in April. On this occasion, Jolie met with the Chair of the Presidency, Haris Silajdžic, and Presidency member Željko Komšic. Presidency member Nebojša Radmanovic was out of the country and could not attend the meeting, however the Goodwill Ambassador did reach out by leaving a personal note with his Office.
During the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, almost half of the country's population was displaced. Recognising the enormity of the displacement, Jolie stated that "the consequences of such a tragedy cannot be undone, however we have a responsibility to do all in our power to reduce the pain by helping those who need assistance. In doing so, we contribute to overcoming divides and building a better future for all the people of the country".
UNHCR has worked in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1992, and during the war undertook one of the largest relief operations ever organized. Of the country's remaining 113,000 internally displaced people, some 7,000 are still living in collective accommodation centres created more than 15 years ago and intended only as temporary housing. UNHCR provides support for these people as well as a further 7,000 refugees from Croatia and those members of the country's Roma community who are at risk of statelessness.
Referring to the revised strategy for implementing the section of the Dayton Peace Agreement that deals with the needs of displaced people, Jolie urged steps to translate the strategy into action. "I hope that there'll soon be practical steps to improve these people's lives," she said. "The political leaders have shown a spirit of compromise in getting this far. Now it needs a little more urgency."
Commenting after the meeting, the UNHCR Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Naveed Hussain, stated that the Goodwill Ambassador's latest visit was part of UNHCR's continuing commitment to ending displacement in Bosnia and Herzegovina and followed other high-level visits to the country over the last year, including Jolie's previous mission in April and a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres.
Jolie stated her happiness at being back in the country and that she looks forward to returning to the region over the coming months to continue her work.
Related news and stories
Joint Statement by UNHCR and Angelina Jolie
UNHCR Special Envoy, Ms. Angelina Jolie Statement to the High-Level Pledging Event on the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie calls for protection and support for the people of Yemen, and an end to the conflict to stop human suffering
Asylum-seekers cultivate new lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Remarks by UNHCR Special Envoy, Ms. Angelina Jolie, on World Refugee Day
Angelina Jolie marks World Refugee Day with refugees in Burkina Faso
Your search for « goodwill ambassadør » matched 762 results. Displaying page 1 of 85 pages.
-
Cate Blanchett
... About Cate Cate Blanchett was announced as Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in 2016. In January of 2020, Cate appeared at the Berlin Film Festival for the premiere of the TV ...... -
Jordan 2015
... Khaled Hosseini, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, in Jordan with Syrian Refugees “If we, as an international community, and as individuals, cannot bridge the funding gap, then we will increasingly see ...... -
Alphonso Davies
... In March 2021, Alphonso Davies became the first footballer and first Canadian to be appointed as a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. Alphonso Davies is a left-back for FC Bayern Munich and Canada ...... -
Manizha
... About Manizha Manizha was announced as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in December 2020. Manizha is an independent musician who has been supporting UNHCR since October 2019, ...... -
Barbara Hendricks
... About Barbara US-born world renowned classical singer Barbara Hendricks was appointed to the role of Goodwill Ambassador in 1987 and is UNHCR’s longest-serving Ambassador. In 2002, in recognition of ...... -
Nomzamo Mbatha
... Donate now Sign up to our newsletter Nomzamo Mbatha named UNHCR Global Goodwill Ambassador About Nomzamo South African actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha has been serving as a LuQuLuQu High ...... -
Sheikha Rima al-Sabah
... Sign up to our newsletter About Sheikha Rima al-Sabah Sheikha Rima al-Sabah was appointed as a U.S. National Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in January 2015. She is a ...... -
Tahsan Khan
... Tahsan Khan has been supporting UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency since 2019 and was announced as Goodwill Ambassador in January 2021. Tahsan is a singer-songwriter and actor from Bangladesh. He started ...... -
Jung Woo-sung
... Sign up to our newsletter About Jung Woo-sung South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung was announced as a National Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in June 2015. He has travelled to ......