More than 1,500 Pakistanis have been killed and around 20 million affected by flooding brought on by the annual monsoon rains last month.
Crops have been devastated and disease is spreading among survivors.
Jolie, who met Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani yesterday, is very concerned by the situation.
She says, 'I am very moved by them and I hope that I am able to do something to help bring attention to the situation for all of the people in need in Pakistan.
UN Ambassador: Angelina meets with 64-year-old flood victim Zenul Hawa in the village of Mohib Bandi
‘This is not just a humanitarian crisis, it is an economic and social catastrophe.'
Earlier in the day the actress donned a black headscarf to visit the Kandaro II Camp in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
'I was shocked especially by how high the flood waters went,' Jolie told reporters. 'In some of the people's houses, it was nine feet high.'
The U.N. hopes Jolie's visit will bring attention and subsequent funds to the country.
Starstruck? Angelina Jolie meets Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad, Pakistan
Maurizio Giuliano, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, calls the floods: 'One of the worst humanitarian disasters in UN history, in terms of number of people that we have to assist and also the area covered.'
'There's lots of speculation about why this one has not gotten the attention it deserves,' Jolie said. 'Even all of the wonderful coverage ... is not getting the response that usually it's able to get.'
No comments:
Post a Comment