David Miliband is president and CEO at the International Rescue Committee (a humanitarian aid organization). He said that the Russia-Ukraine War will have “pivotal effect” on the way the world addresses the “growth in impunity”.

Miliband was Britain’s Foreign Secretary from 2007-2010. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s impassioned speech to the U.N. Security CouncilOn April 5, the United Nations had been called upon to “refound” it.

This war is going to have a pivotal effect on the world. “Either there will be no response to the increasing impunity all over the globe, or people will look the other way,” he stated.

Miliband supported previous calls to have the Security Council’s five permanent members give up their power of veto on resolutions relating to mass atrocities.

France only supports the position at this time. That position is opposed by neither the U.K., Russia or China. This is an extremely difficult agenda for the “great powers”, but some aspects of their work are not great,” he stated.

Miliband stated that the IRC appeals for help to all people in need of humanitarian assistance around the globe, including those living in poverty. Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Ethiopia.

He stated that there are risks that aid supplies could be switched to Ukraine, where the political bandwidth is used for good reasons but gives permission for abuses elsewhere.

On Thursday, Miliband spoke from New York. He has been the IRC’s leader since 2013. 

Miliband spoke out about images showing recent atrocities perpetrated by Russian troops on civilians in the Ukraine. He described them both as shocking and as an “appalling abuse” of civilian rights.

Russia has denied targeting civilians in spite of well-documented evidence.

There are many cities and towns that are under occupation. But there is also a city under strangulation. Mariupol is home to over 100,000 people. They have been without food, water and medicines for six weeks.

“And so it is.” [a]Clear violation of laws of war is a major challenge to international law system and regime.”

Miliband said that the people in Ukraine who are being displaced need medical care and cash assistance because of their economic collapse. Miliband also called for support of vulnerable groups like the elderly, disabled and children.

Also, the IRC supports this effort. 4.3 million refugeesPeople who fled Ukraine to Europe across the border since the beginning of the conflict.

He said it has been working with local authorities in countries such as Poland — which has so far accepted over 2.5 million refugees.

He noted that Poland and other countries had received funding. The European Union will help Ukraine’s refugees. But it is a much more difficult situation for certain countries, like Moldova which has not been a member but has witnessed over 400,000 refugees flee Ukraine.

Miliband stated that it is important to ensure the pledge by U.S. President Joe Biden to welcome up to 100,000 refugees to the countryIt is then followed by a delivery system.