Hollywood Actress and humanitarian activist Angelina Jolie said in an op-ed that appeared in the Washington Post, with the title “A Reason to Stay in Iraq”, that the troop surge in Iraq has created a window of opportunity for humanitarian programs to increase assistance for Iraqi refugees. The actress explained the plight of refugees in Iraq and mentioned that their conditions haven’t improved since her visit to the country last year. Angelina Jolie has been working as a United Nations goodwill ambassador from 2001 onwards, on behalf of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

She was in Baghdad to call attention to the refugee problem in Iraq. Jolie talked with General David Petraeus, the US military commander in Iraq and recounts how he assured her of his maximum possible support for new efforts to address various humanitarian issues. She says that this gave her more hope of progress in humanitarian activities.

Angelina emphasized to Iraqi officials, the need of good plans for helping Iraqis, who are using the decreased level of violence to come back to their abandoned homes. She also stressed the need for creative solutions to accommodate the around 4 million refugees and displaced people back in Iraq and took the opportunity to urge the U.S presidential candidates and leaders of congress, to increase financing for aid to Iraqi refugees and displaced people.

As for the troop surge, she talks of her enquiries to the troops about their thoughts on returning home. And not surprisingly, the trooper’s replied of their commitment to Iraq and how they want to be part of the humanitarian progress, made possible now due to the troop surge. At least one can take heart in the fact, that Hollywood is concerned of matters in Iraq and be proud of the dedication, commitment and bravery of U.S troops in Iraq.