DORI, Burkina Faso, June 21 (Reuters) – Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie visited on Sunday a refugee camp in Burkina Faso housing refugees fleeing jihadist violence in Mali.

And praised the country for welcoming the displaced despite its limited resources and battling its own insurgency.

Burkina Faso, like its neighbours Niger and Mali, is reeling from violent attacks by militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State that have killed thousands and displaced millions in the three countries.

“I’m here to show my solidarity to the Bukinabe people who continue to welcome the displaced brothers and sisters despite terrible attacks and challenges.

Sharing what little they have at a time when other countries with far more have closed their borders and their minds to the refugees,” Jolie said.

Her trip marked World Refugee Day, which is held every year on June 20.

The actress and refugee activist was speaking at the Goudoubou refugee camp, around 15 kilometres (9 miles) outside the northeastern Burkina Faso town of Dori, close to the Sahel tri-border area which has been the epicentre of the violence.

Burkina Faso suffered its worst attack in early June when 132 residents of the village of Solhan in Yagha province, bordering Niger, were killed by insurgents, causing more to flee. read more

Around 1.2 million people are displaced due to the violence in Burkina Faso, which is hosting over 22,000 Malian refugees who have fled similar jihadist violence at home. Around 11,000 are at the Goudoubou camp.

Among the refugees in the camp was 22-year old Hawa Diallo, who said she fled Mali with her family due to attacks by jihadists.

Her family first settled in the Burkina Faso region of Djibo but had to pack up and leave again following increased attacks in the area between 2019 and 2020.

“We first settled in Djibo and then Mentao where there was peace until violence started in 2019-2020. We were afraid so we fled, we fled in the bush, we left our belongings, we left people who could not walk behind, after that we were brought to Goudebou,” she said.

The United Nations said on Friday that number of people around the world forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights abuses has doubled in the past decade to reach 82.4 million. read more

“The truth is we are not doing half of what we could and should to find solutions to enable refugees to return home,” said Jolie.

Angelina Jolie’s visit to the refugee camp in Burkina Faso highlighted the incredible resilience and generosity of the Burkinabe people in the face of adversity. Despite facing their own challenges, the people of Burkina Faso have opened their doors to those fleeing violence and persecution, demonstrating compassion and solidarity.

With millions displaced and thousands killed by militant attacks linked to extremist groups like al Qaeda and Islamic State, the region is in desperate need of assistance and support. The Goudoubou refugee camp, where Jolie spoke, is just one example of the many communities grappling with the consequences of violence and displacement.

As the world commemorates World Refugee Day, it is crucial to recognize the immense courage and strength shown by refugees like Hawa Diallo, who was forced to flee her home in Mali due to jihadist attacks. Her story is just one of many, reflecting the harrowing experiences of those caught in the crossfire of conflict.

The international community must do more to address the root causes of displacement and instability, working towards sustainable solutions that enable refugees to return to their homes in safety and dignity. Angelina Jolie’s advocacy and support shine a spotlight on the urgent need for action and solidarity in the face of the global refugee crisis.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.