Angelina Jolie arrives in Pakistan to help flood-affected communities

ISLAMABAD: Angelina Jolie, a popular American actor, filmmaker and humanitarian, arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to support communities affected by recent floods.

Jolie previously visited Pakistan in the wake of a 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods, bringing international attention on the aftermath of the two natural calamities and helping to generate humanitarian and financial support for the country.

In her latest visit to Pakistan, Jolie is expected to highlight the need for urgent support for the Pakistani people and urge the world to find long-term solutions to the issue of climate change.

Her visit to Pakistan was announced on social media by the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

“International humanitarian Angelina Jolie is with the IRC visiting Pakistan to see and hear from people affected by recent floods,” the International Rescue Committee said in a Twitter post. “With more rains expected in the coming months, we hope her visit will help the world wake up and take action.”

Pakistan experienced unprecedented monsoon rains this year that led to flash floods, killing over 1,500 people.

According to official estimates, the erratic weather destroyed thousands of houses and farmlands across the country and displaced more than 33 million people.

“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.

It added that she would visit the organization’s emergency response operations and meet workers assisting displaced people.

The statement said Jolie’s visit was likely to shed light on the climate change issue while prompting the international community, particularly states contributing the most to carbon emissions, to act and provide urgent support to developing nations bearing the brunt of the environmental degradation.