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

Jolie will focus on 'complex crises that result in mass displacement of people' such as Afghanistan and Somalia.

Spokesman 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 added that “this is an exceptional position reflecting the exceptional role she has played for us”.

Edwards said 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”.