Angelina Jolie has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations since 2001, something that came about while she was filming in Cambodia. The actress reportedly saw people in such crisis that it affected her long after she’d returned home, and after contacting the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to find out which areas around the world needed help, she began making trips to refugee camps. Since then, she’s donated millions to the cause and has traveled extensively in order to learn and help those in underdeveloped countries. It’s no surprise, then, that she is shocked and saddened by the recent kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria.

“The kidnapping of these young Nigerian girls is an unthinkable cruelty. Sadly, of course, there is real evil in the world. You watch the news and you see all of the people suffering and so much cruelty,” she said.

Boko Haram, a terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for the abduction of 276 girls in April from a Nigerian school; on Monday, it was reported that the same group had kidnapped eight more girls from a village. Reports have come in that up to 50 girls have escaped, but officials are at a loss as to how to find the remaining children. President Obama has announced he will be sending in relief from the U.S. to aid in finding the girls, but the Nigerian government’s efforts are allegedly being hampered by the victims’ families, who are too scared of retaliation to cooperate.

Angelina Jolie adds her voice to those calling to #BringBackOurGirls. Here's why you should, too http://t.co/r1h4hDk7vr

— ELLEUK (@ELLEUK) May 7, 2014

A man claiming to be the leader of Boko Haram released a video earlier this week, saying their plan was to sell the girls and put a stop to their western education.

“I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah. There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell. I will sell women. I sell women,” he said.

President Obama said that his administration will do everything in their power to help bring the girls home safely.

“We have offered, and it’s been accepted—help from our military and our law enforcement officials. We’re going to do everything we can to provide assistance to them.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons