The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) made the forecast in Geneva on Tuesday.
OCHA's Jens Laerke told a news briefing that due to Russia's "wave of attacks" on Ukraine since December 29, and the "deep winter," Ukraine urgently needed a "continued, large-scale humanitarian operation."
He added that "civilians are being killed and injured daily," in Russian strikes on Ukraine, while "their homes and critical infrastructure are being destroyed."
The UN official stated: "More than 14.6 million people – 40 per cent of the population in Ukraine – will need humanitarian assistance this year."
Next Monday, the UN will unveil the Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2024, according to news outlets.
Wednesday is day 686 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Source: United Nations, The Kyiv Independent, Ukrinform
