Angelina Jolie visits refugee camp in Jordan

Angelina Jolie appealed to officials "to do all they can" to assist civilians fleeing Syria on Wednesday night (05Dec12) during a humanitarian trip to the border of the war-torn nation.

The Hollywood star, who is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, flew to the Middle East for the second time in three months to draw attention to the plight of those who have escaped Syria amid ongoing fighting between rebels and government forces.

Jolie attended a briefing meeting with border officers in neighbouring Jordan, and applauded the country's officials for welcoming refugees.

She says, "The incredible compassion shown to these traumatised refugee families by the Jordanian border guards was extremely moving. Jordan has welcomed the refugees even though it has placed a huge burden on the country. The international community needs to show more solidarity and to support Jordan and the other countries in the region who continue to keep their borders open."

Medical staff kept Jolie updated about the condition of Syrian citizens who had arrived in Jordan, and she was left horrified to hear of one young boy who had lost his leg.

She adds, "It was extremely upsetting to hear the story of an eight-year-old boy, who, upon arrival in Jordan, explained to doctors that he had asked his family to carry his severed leg along on the journey in hopes that it could be reattached.

"I'm sickened by how long and how bloody this conflict has become, devastating a nation and the lives of millions of innocent civilians, and threatening to destabilise the entire region. I call on the international community to do everything possible to find a solution to this tragedy."

On Thursday (06Dec12), the Wanted star continued her trip and headed to a refugee camp in Jordan to meet families who had fled for their lives.

Jolie says, "What I saw... is a dramatic example of the plight of hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have been uprooted by the fighting and are in a desperate search for safety. Civilians inside the country are being targeted. Many of those trying to flee are exposed to extreme danger right up to the border itself. I appeal to all sides in the conflict to do all they can to ensure the safe passage of these innocent civilians."