Jismi Johari

Jismi Johari leads MAHAR (Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief), a prominent Malaysian humanitarian NGO dedicated to providing essential aid and support to vulnerable refugee and migrant populations. Established with a keen focus on addressing the growing needs of displaced people in the region,vMAHAR has prioritized assistance to migrants and Syrian refugees since its founding in 2016.

By 2025, MAHAR has achieved a significant milestone, managing and delivering vital assistance to an estimated 3,000 migrants and Syrian refugees within Malaysia through its ongoing Syrian Migrant Temporary Relocation Program and other relief efforts. This support is multifaceted, moving beyond simple emergency handouts to include sustainable support in critical areas such as essential relief, shelter, education, and healthcare.

Leading National Efforts: Ops Ihsan

Beyond its domestic programs, MAHAR plays a pivotal role in coordinating Malaysia’s response to international crises. Jismi Johari concurrently serves as the Chairman of the Secretariat for Ops Ihsan, a major national strategic collaboration between the Malaysian government, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and over 50 Malaysian NGOs.

Ops Ihsan is the primary channel for Malaysia’s large-scale, coordinated humanitarian aid missions, particularly for the people of Palestine/Gaza. Under Johari’s leadership, MAHAR and the Ops Ihsan secretariat have efficiently managed multiple, high-value aid missions, successfully delivering tons of food, medical supplies, and essential goods via air and sea cargo to critical entry points like the El Arish International Airport in Egypt, for onward distribution into Gaza. This strategic collaboration is instrumental in leveraging the collective resources of Malaysian civil society and government to maximize global impact.

MAHAR’s operations are characterized by a commitment to localized support and dignity-driven aid, supported by a strong network of local volunteers through PPSMS, Mycorps , Ops Ihsan and all national efforts. Looking ahead, MAHAR aims to scale its sustainable livelihood programs for refugees in Malaysia while continuing to lead the complex logistics and coordination required for large-scale international missions through the Ops Ihsan platform.

Impact means two things: elevating lives through sustainable, long-term improvement, and generating a ripple effect that inspires others to serve. Ultimately, my work must act as a force multiplier, improving specific lives while igniting a wider passion for service.