unrwa is still in gaza
Get the facts. Take action.
The UN agency never left.
UNRWA’s over 11,000 Palestinian staff on the ground in Gaza never left and have no intention of going anywhere.
Even after:
Being “banned” by the Israeli government,
Being defunded by the US government,
Being blocked by Israel from getting life-saving aid trucks into Gaza, and
Surviving over two years of what experts know to be a genocide.
In Gaza, UNRWA shows up every day.
Here’s what that looks like:
-
![]()
Healthcare
UNRWA provides more than 13,000+ medical consultations every single day, making it the largest primary healthcare provider in Gaza. Clinics and medical teams continue treating injuries, chronic illnesses, maternal health needs, and emergency cases despite immense resource shortages.
-
![]()
Sanitation
UNRWA cleans and maintains overcrowded shelters to stop the spread of disease. These sanitation efforts are essential for preventing outbreaks in densely packed living conditions.
-
![]()
Water
UNRWA maintains wells and critical water infrastructure to ensure families have access to clean, safe water — a lifeline in conditions where contamination and scarcity pose severe health risks.
-
![]()
Education
UNRWA teachers continue providing education and learning support for children whose schools have been damaged or destroyed. Even inside temporary shelters, UNRWA works to ensure children have access to learning, stability, and hope.
-
![]()
Psychosocial Support
UNRWA counselors deliver critical psychosocial care, helping children and families cope with loss, displacement, trauma, and the daily stresses of survival. For many, this support is the only mental health care available.
-
![]()
Shelter & Emergency Relief
UNRWA assists displaced families with shelter, blankets, mattresses, and emergency supplies, especially during the winter months when heavy rains and flooding create life-threatening conditions for people living in makeshift shelters.
YES, UNRWA is still in Gaza
〰️
YES, UNRWA is still in Gaza 〰️
yes, UNRwa is still in Gaza.
-
Yes! UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, continues to operate in the Gaza Strip and always has. UNRWA never left the Gaza Strip. Its aid never stopped.
Some people think UNRWA disappeared because of confusion and misinformation over the years.
Here’s what actually happened:
Aid delivery disruptions: UNRWA aid convoys are being blocked by Israel at the borders, but not all aid relies on trucks, so UNRWA keeps delivering assistance in other ways, like providing healthcare
Blocked communications: Israel “banned” UNRWA, meaning communications were halted, not operations.
UNRWA Headquarters Demolished: UNRWA’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem was stormed, looted, fired, and then demolished by Israeli authorities in January 2025, violating UN privileges and immunities, as well as international law.
Funding gaps: The US government defunded UNRWA, so generous American donors like you stepped in, giving tens of millions of dollars in grassroots funding
Misinformation campaigns: Millions have been spent on propaganda and massive amounts of misinformation have circulated, confusing the public about UNRWA’s presence
Relocation of operations: At the start of the crisis in October 2023, UNRWA relocated its headquarters from Gaza City to Rafah, but the UN agency never left Gaza.
All of this happened during a two-year period of catastrophic humanitarian conditions and extreme hardship for the people in Gaza — what experts know to be a genocide.
Because of these factors, some people, even well-meaning, well-intentioned supporters, have mistakenly pulled back support, thinking UNRWA left Gaza. But it never did.
Through it all, UNRWA stays, serving Gaza’s population.
-
Misinformation can cost lives. And truth needs repetition. When people think UNRWA is gone, they stop giving, stop advocating, and stop showing up for Gaza. By spreading the truth, you help:
Protect UNRWA’s reputation
Keep humanitarian support flowing
Show decision-makers that Americans care
That’s why we’re running the “UNRWA is still in Gaza” campaign. Let’s flood the feeds with facts and remind everyone: UNRWA is still in Gaza.
-
UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and continues to provide critical humanitarian and public services every day.
As of April 2026, in Gaza alone, UNRWA is still providing:
Healthcare: UNRWA is providing 13,000+ medical consultations daily — it is now the largest primary healthcare provider in Gaza
Water: UNRWA is maintaining wells to ensure access to clean water
Sanitation: UNRWA cleans and maintains overcrowded shelters to stop the spread of disease
Education and Psychosocial Support: UNRWA is teaching and counseling children, helping families cope with loss, displacement, and the daily trauma of survival
Shelter and Relief: UNRWA is assisting displaced families, especially during the winter season where we’re seeing lots of flooding from heavy rains
UNRWA has more than 11,000 local Palestinian staff who remain on the ground in Gaza delivering these services, even where international staff cannot go.
UNRWA also continues to operate in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan — reaching millions of Palestine refugees.
-
Yes, absolutely! Since the US government defunded UNRWA in early 2024, the best way for Americans to support UNRWA’s work in Gaza is through UNRWA USA. Donations to UNRWA USA are tax-deductible, and right now, the vast majority go directly to UNRWA’s life-saving relief and humanitarian programs in Gaza.
Displacement in Gaza is harsh. Thousands of families are living in shelters, tents, and damaged buildings, facing extreme weather, flooding, and illness. Your donation helps displaced people trying to survive have access to UNRWA services like primary healthcare. Let’s show Palestine refugees that Americans care. Donate today: unrwausa.org/donate
restore u.s. government funding to UNRWA
The United States is now the only major government still pausing its funding to UNRWA, even as the rest of the international community has restored or continued their support. This ongoing pause has severe consequences for millions of Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA for food, medical care, education, and emergency assistance.
Urge your elected officials to co-sponsor the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025.
Wear your solidarity
If you’re wearing this, you know the facts. And you can be proud that the multi-million dollar propaganda machine didn’t work on you.
Designed by Palestinian American artist Lena Kassicieh, this shirt is for people who care enough to share what they know.
Wear it as a conversation starter. Use it to help others understand UNRWA and UNRWA USA, the lived realities of Palestine refugees and remind people that: UNRWA is still in Gaza.
100% of proceeds support Palestine refugees.
give to gaza
Most of UNRWA USA’s funding is supporting UNRWA’s efforts in Gaza. With the US government still withholding its funds, donations from people like you are the only support UNRWA receives from the United States. Donations through UNRWA USA are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. Give now and know you’re helping sustain the backbone of humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza.