Angelina Jolie.Photo: JIM LO SCALZO/Shutterstock
Angelina Jolieis “praying for the people in Ukraine” amid theRussian invasion.
In a statement onInstagramThursday, the actress — who alsoserves as Special Envoyfor the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) — said that her “focus along with my@refugeescolleagues is that everything possible is done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region.”
“We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety,” said Jolie, 46. “It is too soon to know what will happen, but the significance of this moment — for the people of Ukraine, and for the international rule of law — cannot be overstated.”
She also shared a link tothe UNHCR’s statement, which reads, “We are gravely concerned about the fast-deteriorating situation and ongoing military action in Ukraine.”
“The humanitarian consequences on civilian populations will be devastating,” it continues. “There are no winners in war, but countless lives will be torn apart.”
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The UNHCR says they “have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety,” adding, “Civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must be protected and safeguarded at all times, in line with International Humanitarian Law.”
According to the group, they are “working with the authorities, UN and other partners in Ukraine and is ready to provide humanitarian assistance wherever necessary and possible. To that effect, security andaccess for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed.”
The UNHCR concludes, “Accordingly, we have stepped up our operations and capacity in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We remain firmlycommitted to support all affected populationsin Ukraine and countries in the region.”
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Russiabegan an invasion of Ukraineearlier this week, according to the Ukraine government, with forces moving from the north, east and south. The attack is still-evolving but explosions and airstrikes have been reported, with threatsmounting against the capital, Kyiv, a city of 2.8 million people.
Numerous residents have been seen trying to flee. “We are facing a war and horror. What could be worse?” one 64-year-old woman living in Kyiv told the Associated Press.
source: people.com
