Angelina Jolie Calls for Humanitarian Aid for Iraq

Originally posted Thursday February 28, 2008 02:15 PM EST

Angelina Jolie has penned an op-ed article urging the United States to help Iraqi refugees who have been displaced by the war. In The Washington Post piece titled, "Staying to Help in Iraq," the actress and goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says American support is key to addressing the humanitarian crisis, which has displaced more than 4 million people. Of the 2 million refugees within the country, 58 percent are under 12 years old, according to Jolie. The 32-year-old actress, who recently visited the war-torn country, writes, "What we cannot afford, in my view, is to squander the progress that has been made. In fact, we should step up our financial and material assistance."