Prominent Supporters

Special Envoy

It was while filming “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in war-torn Cambodia that Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie first witnessed the dire conditions faced by refugees.

Working with UNHCR, she began visiting refugees in Sierra Leone and Tanzania.

Responding to an emergency appeal from UNHCR, she donated $1 million to the organization, the largest donation UNHCR had ever received from a private individual.

Jolie was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in August 2001.

Jolie has been working tirelessly since, meeting with refugees and internally displaced persons in over 30 countries.

In 2003, Jolie released Notes from My Travels, describing her extensive travels to war zones in Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2012, Jolie was named Special Envoy to the UNC High Commissioner, and now represents

UNHCR at the diplomatic level for matters relating to major refugee crises.

She’s is also active in conservation and community development, and is a vocal advocate for causes such as the rights of child immigrants and vulnerable children worldwide, children education, human rights, sexual violence and women rights.

Having received numerous awards in recognition of her humanitarian work, with years of dedicated service to UNHCR and the cause of refugees, Angelina Jolie in April 2012 was appointed as Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Other Goodwill Ambassadors and Prominent Supporters