'I've seen things that will stay with me forever': Tom Hiddleston reveals 'heartbreak' as he returns to South Sudan as UNICEF ambassador to witness impact of civil war on children

Tom Hiddleston has returned to South Sudan as a UNICEF ambassador.

The British actor, 35, has first-handedly witnessed how the brutal civil war continues to destroy the lives of vast numbers of innocent children across the country.

He was spotted in a number of heart-warming pictures where he interacted with the local children in the country which will mark three years of conflict.

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Tom, clad in a UNICEF top, can be seen playing around with the kids in their yard and also enjoying a lengthy chat with them.

The star, who first visited South Sudan in February 2015, was undoubtedly shocked as he discovered how conditions still remained as fragile and severe as ever as he travelled to the displacement camp in Bentiu. 

Speaking on the conditions that have seen more than 170,000 children being treated for malnutrition in 2016 alone, Tom stated: 'Everyone I've met has experienced traumatic events that no one, least of all a child, should ever have to go through. 

'It's heart-breaking to see that after three years, innocent children are still bearing the brunt of the conflict.

'I've seen things in South Sudan that will stay with me forever,' Tom continued after he encountered two young brothers who lost their mother in 2013 when fighting broke out.  

Meanwhile, The Night Manager star saw his celebrity profile skyrocket this year after he indulged in a brief romance with pop-star Taylor Swift.

The couple got together shortly after Taylor's split from Calvin Harris, leading Tom to insist their relationship wasn't a 'showmance' in July. 

Talking to the Hollywood Reporter^[1], he said: 'The truth is that Taylor Swift and I are together, and we're very happy. That's the truth. It's not a publicity stunt.'

However, he hit headline again in September when he and Taylor split, with the Shake It Off singer telling Dailymail.com that she felt 'uncomfortable' with his desire to be 'so public' about their romance.

Tom had reportedly asked Taylor to the Emmy Awards, but she began questioning whether he was with her for 'the right reasons' and ultimately decided to call off the relationship. 

Tom has now been focusing on his return to screen of late - jetting to Australia to film the next Marvel installment, Thor: Ragnorak.

The hunk will reprise his role as Thor's evil adopted brother Loki in the flick, which is set for release in November 2017.

References

1. ^{^} Hollywood Reporter (www.hollywoodreporter.com)