GUA MUSANG, Oct 28- The Department of Orang Asli Department is fully prepared to face the North East Monsoon which is expected to start early next month.

Its director-general, Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor, said the preparations include handling food baskets for the Orang Asli community living in the interior.

She said that the agency had also established strategic cooperation with the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department to channel aid through helicopters in rural villages that were cut off due to the monsoon season.

She added the agency is examining the requests by the Orang Asli communities in Kelantan and Pahang who appealed for the food baskets to be distributed before the monsoon begins.

Datuk Sapiah handed over food baskets to more than 200 Orang Asli families at Pos Gob, Gua Musang, Kelantan.