Angelina halts engagement celebrations to visit Ecuador

Actress Angelina Jolie visited Ecuador over the weekend in her first such trip as special envoy for the U.N. refugee agency.

In this handout picture released by the United Nations High Commissoner for Refugees (UNHCR) Angelina Jolie speaks to an agriculture worker named Plinio at a refugee community located on the banks of the San Miguel border, near Barranca Mermeja, Ecuador on April 22, 2012.

The community, composed of Colombian families -refugees of the Colombian conflict- are taking part in an agricultural project supported by UNHCR to encourage self sufficiency and improve nutrition in the community.

  • Actress Angelina Jolie, newly engaged to partner of seven years Brad Pitt, visited Ecuador over the weekend as special envoy for the United Nations.<br><br> In this handout picture released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Angelina Jolie speaks to locals at a refugee community located on the banks of the San Miguel border, near Barranca Mermeja, Ecuador on April 22, 2012. <br><br>The community, composed of Colombian families -refugees of the Colombian conflict- are taking part in an agricultural project supported by UNHCR to encourage self-sufficiency and improve nutrition in the community.
    Actress Angelina Jolie, newly engaged to partner of seven years Brad Pitt, visited Ecuador over the weekend as special envoy for the United Nations.

    In this handout picture released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Angelina Jolie speaks to locals at a refugee community located on the banks of the San Miguel border, near Barranca Mermeja, Ecuador on April 22, 2012.

    The community, composed of Colombian families -refugees of the Colombian conflict- are taking part in an agricultural project supported by UNHCR to encourage self-sufficiency and improve nutrition in the community.
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  • Jolie has visited various countries over the past decade as goodwill ambassador for the UNHCR. The agency said in a statement on Monday that it was her first trip as special envoy since her appointment earlier this month. Jolie had previously visited Ecuador in 2002 and 2010.
    Jolie has visited various countries over the past decade as goodwill ambassador for the UNHCR. The agency said in a statement on Monday that it was her first trip as special envoy since her appointment earlier this month. Jolie had previously visited Ecuador in 2002 and 2010.
  • Jolie is in Ecuador to assess the situation of thousands of refugees who have fled violence in neighboring Colombia. <br><br>In this picture, Jolie is led through the jungle by local agriculture workers.
    Jolie is in Ecuador to assess the situation of thousands of refugees who have fled violence in neighboring Colombia.

    In this picture, Jolie is led through the jungle by local agriculture workers.
  • . During a two day visit, Jolie met with impoverished Colombian refugees in northern Sucumbios province. <br><br>In this picture, she speaks to 71-year-old Gerardina from a village on the banks of the San Miguel River which marks the border between Ecuador and Colombia.
    . During a two day visit, Jolie met with impoverished Colombian refugees in northern Sucumbios province.

    In this picture, she speaks to 71-year-old Gerardina from a village on the banks of the San Miguel River which marks the border between Ecuador and Colombia.
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  • Jolie also met with with Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino.<br><br> Handout picture released by Ecuador's Foreign Ministry showing US actress Angelina Jolie (2-L) walking with Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Pati�o, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quito, Ecuador, on April 22, 2012.
    Jolie also met with with Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino.

    Handout picture released by Ecuador's Foreign Ministry showing US actress Angelina Jolie (2-L) walking with Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quito, Ecuador, on April 22, 2012.
  • "I really encourage the government to continue their tradition of assistance to vulnerable families in need," Jolie said, according to the U.N. agency's statement.
    "I really encourage the government to continue their tradition of assistance to vulnerable families in need," Jolie said, according to the U.N. agency's statement.
  • Jolie with Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quito, Ecuador.
    Jolie with Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quito, Ecuador.
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  • While she was in Ecuador, a make up free Angelina, dressed in her habitual black, interacted with local communities among whom there are an estimated 56,000 Colombian refugees.
    While she was in Ecuador, a make up free Angelina, dressed in her habitual black, interacted with local communities among whom there are an estimated 56,000 Colombian refugees.