UNRWA goes on strike in the Gaza Strip Facilities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) close their gates this morning during a strike by all UNRWA institutions in Gaza City against job cuts. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has been a lifeline for millions of Palestinians since it was set up nearly 70 years ago. On August 31, the United States, by far the biggest contributor to the agency, announced it was halting its funding to the organisation, which it labelled "irredeemably flawed".