Rhiannon Ingle
American actress Angelina Jolie is no stranger to embarking on humanitarian and activist missions across the world, but during her most recent visit to a refuge in Ukraine she had to be swiftly rushed to safety.
The Mr & Mrs Smith actress visited the city of Lviv on Saturday, April 30, to talk and meet with those who have been displaced during the Ukrainian-Russian war since Russia first attacked the country back in February.
Heading to a train station near Kramatorsk, Jolie spoke with volunteers and displaced people who shared their stories, experiences and realities of living in a war-torn country.
Advert
However, the Tomb Raider actress was forced to leave the refuge promptly following a sweep of air-raid sirens sounding all over the city.
While Jolie holds a whole host of accolades for her acting career, including the likes of an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards, she is also a special envoy for the United Nations refugee agency.
According to the UN, more than 12.7 million Ukrainian individuals have been forced to flee their homes and towns in just the past two months – totalling approximately 30% of the country's entire pre-war population.
The ordeal was filmed and the Hollywood actress can be seen surrounded by a large crowd of people and her aides as she gets quickly taken away to safety as the sirens signalled the possible threat of a Russian attack.
Even during the evacuation, Jolie kept her composure and waved at the camera to reassure people that she was alright by calmly repeating: "I'm okay."
Making the incident even more alarming is the fact that the city of Lviv, which resides in the west of Ukraine, has sustained shelling in recent weeks.
Maksym Kozytsky, Lviv's regional governor, has since talked about Jolie's trip to the city, where she visited a medical centre and spoke to injured children and young people about injuries they suffered during the missile strike over the Kramatorsk railway station only a month ago.
The regional governor spoke about Jolie's interaction with the children: "She was very moved by (the children´s) stories. One girl was even able to privately tell Ms Jolie about a dream she’d had."
Kozytsky also noted that Jolie 'promised she would come again', Metro reports.
Since the very beginning of the war, Jolie has been a vocal advocate for those affected by the horrific invasions and bombings, using her platform to actively support Ukraine.
Writing on Instagram, "Like many of you, I’m praying for the people in Ukraine," Jolie emphasised the importance of solidarity and support adding, "My focus along with my @refugees colleagues is that everything possible is done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region."
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information