Cocomero is a volunteer-based project launched by a group of Italian food bloggers to raise funds for Palestinian civilians, left homeless and without a livelihood due to the bombings and forced displacement that started in October 2023.
The project launched in 2024 with a first ebook, "Cocomero - recipes inspired by Levantine cuisine for peace."
A second ebook, "Cocomero & Friends - recipes and voices for Palestine," was released in July 2025. The ebook can be redeemed with a direct donation to one or more of the project's carefully selected fundraising campaigns.
Cocomero & Friends - Recipes and Voices for Palestine
Featuring contributions from 76 creators from 10 countries.
59 recipes from cuisines of all continents, 100% plant-based, violence-free by defining principle.
17 original writings, including memoirs, essays and articles by Italian and Palestinian journalists and civilians, who are a key part of the team despite their extreme living conditions.
13 artworks, including illustrations, comics and posters. The cover is by Palestinian illustrator Reem Alsayed.
How can I help Palestinian civilians?
By purchasing the Cocomero ebook, you're making a tangible difference in the lives of the people this project supports: your money will help them buy food and water, buy a tent and buy medicine. Your money is literally keeping them alive.
Use the boxes below to learn about the families and non-profit organizations associated with the Cocomero project and choose the one you'd like to support.
How to receive the ebook
1 - Make your donation for a minimum €5 (but if you can, we ask you to donate more) to the selected fundraising platform (GoFundMe, PayPal)
2 - Take a screenshot of the donation receipt.
3 - Fill out the form on this page: enter the email address to which you'd like to receive the ebook, then upload the screenshot.
You'll be immediately emailed a download link for the ebook in PDF format (if you don't see the email, check your spam/promotions folder).
Donate now
We are in daily contact with the people presented in this project: since 2023, we have been sustaining them day and night (literally, even at night) with practical, financial and moral support.
Our focus on this small number has allowed us to save their lives from hunger, to evacuate those who managed to raise enough money before the Egyptian border closed, and to ensure a flow of funds to benefit entire communities.
We also endorse the generous and courageous work being done by The Palestine Red Crescent despite being constantly targeted by the IOF.
Ali Nayef
He lost his father, his home, and everything he owned during the war. Through this campaign He supports his sick mother, And his wife's 14 year-old brother, whose hand was severely burned during the bombing of his house. All his hopes in life are to join his wife and little daughter in Egypt.
Reem Alsayed
An artist capable of painting beauty even where there is none: she is the author of the ebook cover. Like her daughter, the adorable Luna. Reem is married to Omar, the man serving a maqluba to his family in her illustration, "a giant with a heart sweeter than a spring breeze," to quote her words. They still face the cruelest days with a smile.
Elham Abd
An example of hope for everyone: thanks to the received donations, she was evacuated from Gaza with her three children, while their father was killed by a missile. Now they are in Cairo, safe, but without refugee rights (school, healthcare, work). She would like to reopen her makeup shop there, and regain her independency from charity.
Hassan Qandeel
A successful young engineer, he immediately began serving his community by building tents for displaced people, a candy stand, and an elementary school. He shares all the donations he gets buying food for his neighborhood, and has two projects we want to fund: a soup kitchen and a student hub powered by solar panels.
Jehad Al-Farra
His name means resilience: he graduated in 2024 as a translator after studying without a home, a computer, or internet connection. After his tenth evacuation, he lives in a tent with 19 relatives, who depend on this fundraiser. He teaches Arabic and English lessons on Instagram.
Parish of Saint Porphyrius
The oldest Orthodox Christian church in Palestine was bombed in 2024 while several families were sheltering inside, killing 25. Father Silos uses the donations to buy food and medicine for about a hundred families in the area, and to provide schooling and a daily meal for their children.
Fatima Samir
In her previous life, she was a celebrated food blogger ready to open her first restaurant: her pizza is legendary. Then her tent was hit by a missile and Fatima, who is pregnant with her second child, is now severely wounded and has lost an eye. Her son Abood, only 3 years old and a bundle of dimples and vivacity, also lost an eye and has shrapnel in his skull, liver and knee.
Palestine Red Crescent Society
Dating back to 1910, it is a part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, guided by the Geneva Conventions and the Movement’s fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. As the PRCS is non-profit organization, you can deduct your donation.
Hanadi Abd
A journalist and "the first Palestinian sci-fi writer," she is safe in Egypt. But she has stopped working altogether to devote herself to raising funds for her sister Alham, who is still in Gaza with her 12-year-old daughter, Amhed, devastated by the murder of her husband and their beloved daughter Aya.
Deema Jarad
Thanks to a first flush of donations, at only 19 years old, Deema fled Gaza with her seriously ill sister Laila. Their whole family - including little Alma, born under the bombs - is stuck in the Strip and depends on her. Deema’s strength is starting to fail; she's only holding on thanks to our support.
Redeem your copy
FAQs
Why “Cocomero”? What does it mean? How do I donate? How does the donation process work? Where does my money go? How do I know that I am donating to innocent civilians? How do Palestinians get hold of our donations? The media say there is no food available / there is food being distributed: then what are our donations for? I see campaigns that have gathered over 20.000 euros, do they really need my money? Why didn’t I get the email with the link to download the ebook? Does the volunteer group behind this project get paid or refunded for its work and expenses? Why an ebook instead of a paper book? How can I do more?