Actress Angelina Jolie named UN refugee envoy

GENEVA - The Associated Press

AP photo

The U.N. refugee agency says U.S. actress Angelina Jolie has been appointed as a special envoy for the organization.

A spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says Jolie will focus on complex crises that result in mass displacement of people such as Afghanistan and Somalia.

Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that Jolie's promotion from goodwill ambassador to special envoy reflects her long-standing work for UNHCR.

He adds that "this is an exceptional position reflecting the exceptional role she has played for us."

Edwards says although the actress has donated large sums to the agency over the years "there is to my knowledge absolutely no connection between any donation of money and this role."