AN army engineer from North Yorkshire who has been working to transform lives around the world including helping to control Ebola in Sierra Leone has been given the job of liaising between the army and international development agencies.

Over 4,000 people died from the horrific virus after the outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2014, with over 14,000 cases reported and a huge emergency support operation launched. Major work has been going on since to stop the spread and prevent outbreaks of the highly contagious disease.

Rapid support was put earlier this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo to supply vaccines and contain the latest outbreak.

Ros Elliot, 35, from Harrogate, an Officer in the Royal Engineers has been given the job of liaising between the army and the governments Department for International Development to increase cooperation, making best use of the expertise available and support on offer.

She’s been helping to complete work recently to build new water and sanitation schemes in Sierra Leone and provide training and information to villagers on the best way to prevent and contain Ebola.

Improved sanitation and education has been crucial in combating the disease. Ms Elliott is based in London but with responsibility for international building projects.

A spokesman for the department said they wanted to pay tribute to workers like Ros Elliott as part of World Humanitarian Day on August 19.

“She has travelled the world and is now supporting the most vulnerable and is responsible for ensuring the safety, longevity, value for money and comfort of projects internationally, working closely with colleagues in the Royal Engineers,” said the spokesman.

Ms Elliott has also worked on projects in Malawi and Pakistan. She said: "The most rewarding moment of my career came when I was in Sierra Leone. I was inspecting a scheme to provide a well and hygiene and sanitation training to stop Ebola spreading.

"I was greeted by song and dance, the residents didn't receive many visitors and wanted to show their appreciation for the well we had helped to create in their village thanks to UK aid. It was really moving."