Life in General

ANGELINA JOLIE headed home from her brief trip to Iraq and Syria to witness firsthand the humanitarian crisis there, the United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR announced.

The actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, 32, flew from New York to Syria on Monday. In Damascus, she visited a UNHCR registration center and spent hours talking to Iraqi refugees in their homes.

Wearing a blue flak jacket and a helmet, Tuesday's journey took her to Iraq to meet with 1,200 refugees camped out in a makeshift outpost at the border, because they are unable to leave the country. She also witnessed dozens of Iraqis crossing into Syria.

"I have come to Syria and Iraq to help draw attention to the humanitarian crisis and to urge governments to increase their support for UNHCR and its partners," ANGELINA JOLIE said in a statement. "My sole purpose in both countries is to highlight the plight of those uprooted by the war in Iraq."