GUA MUSANG: The Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) has prepared food aid baskets for Orang Asli communities in remote areas to help them face the upcoming northeast monsoon season.
Jakoa director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor said each basket containing essential items such as rice, vermicelli, cooking oil, wheat flour, sugar, milk and biscuits is expected to sustain a household for up to one week.
"The Orang Asli community need not worry, as Jakoa has set aside funds to assist communities affected by disasters or wildlife incidents.
"For a start, we have distributed food baskets to over 200 Orang Asli families in Pos Gob, who have been impacted by damaged roads due to heavy rainfall," she told reporters after delivering food aid to the community in Pos Gob last night.
Sapiah said that each food basket is valued at RM120 per family, and Jakoa is currently reviewing applications from residents in Kelantan and Pahang to ensure assistance reaches them before the monsoon begins.
"Jakoa is also working with the Fire and Rescue Department to deliver food aid by helicopter to remote villages cut off by rainfall," she added. — BERNAMA