Brad Pitt and a pregnant Angelina Jolie have made a goodwill visit to afflicted Caribbean island Haiti.

The couple flew from neighbouring Dominican Republic, where Jolie is filming for Robert De Niro's The Good Shepherd.

They were cheered as they travelled through capital Port-au-Prince, protected by police and United Nations peacekeepers. The stars then visited a school and watched children dance and recite poetry. Next they headed to a juvenile jail where the a charity plans to begin a tutoring program.

Finally they attended a one-year anniversary party for Yele Haiti, a charity formed by Haiti-born Wyclef Jean. Children who receive scholarships from the organisation were there, cheering the actors.

"You hear so much just about the danger and the fear and then you come here and you meet just an amazing people," said Jolie. "Given just a little chance, and given a little help, this is going to be a great country."

She continued: "We love this country and we plan to be back over and over again."

Haiti suffers from numerous social problems and nearly two years ago its President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was forced from power in a violent rebellion.