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Angelina Jolie: Hollywood star and UNHCR special envoy for ten years
Photo: Martial Trezzini / dpa
She traveled to numerous crisis areas for the UN: Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has announced her resignation as special envoy for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
After 20 years of working within the UN system, she felt "it's time for me to work in a different way, directly with refugees and organizations on the ground," Jolie said, according to the statement.
However, this does not mean that she is withdrawing from social commitment: In the coming years she will continue to "do everything in my power" to support refugees and other displaced people.
»Decades of use«
The Oscar winner has worked with UNHCR since 2001 and has been a special envoy since 2012.
UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi expressed his gratitude for Jolie's "decades of service."
He supports the decision of the 47-year-old to "change their commitment".
The organization named Jolie as one of its most influential advocates for refugee rights.
The actress worked "tirelessly" to bring stories of "both suffering and hope" to the world.
In this role, she also drew attention to less noticed crises, such as recent trips to Yemen and Burkina Faso.
bbr/dpa/AFP