Acting in her role as United Nations special envoy, actress Angelina Jolie undertook a harrowing experience as she met civilians affected by Syria's civil war today (September 11th). It was small fry, though, compared to what some of those she met had experienced in recent months, as the path out of the country's troubled present remains largely hidden.

According to Reuters, the UN is currently registering more than 250,000 refugees from the 17-month old conflict in four neighbouring countries. More than 85,000 of those have arrived in Jordan, and the country as admitted that it can no longer deal with the influx, seeking international help as a result. Speaking to reporters, Jolie commented on the tales of some of the refugees that she'd met during her trip, saying "Little children who were asked what they saw described body parts separated and burnt people being pulled apart like chicken. A little 9-year-old girl said that."

Jolie, herself mother to a brood of six, had spent a two-day visit at Jordan's Zaatari camp - where 28,000 people are currently staying - and reflected further that "It's been a very heavy experience because often at times you come to these camps ... and rarely do you come when meet them as they cross the border and get to know people the moment they become a refugee." Visibly shaken, she added "They will say: 'As the months go on there will be no more of us, our homes are gone are families are gone'."