Angelina Jolie speaking at UNHCR's commemoration of World Refugee Day at the National Geographic Society. Goodwill Ambassador Jolie presented awards to winners of the Annual World Refugee Day Poster Contest. Washington DC, USA - 18.06.09

The actress marked World Refugee Day by hosting a function in America's capital aimed at raising awareness about the ongoing problems faced by those displaced by wars.

Speaking about the plight of refugees, the actress' voice cracked as she stated, "Refugees are not numbers... they are mothers and daughters and fathers and sons."

Jolie, who is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' refugee agency, also told reporters and politicians that the refugees she has met on her travels "have profoundly changed my life."

Fighting back tears she added, "I thank them for letting me into their lives."

Source: WENN