Harpenden Oxfam worker returns from fighting the Ebola virus in Liberia

Cathy Stephen, 32, is Oxfam's water and sanitation advisor based in Liberia, one of the West African countries affected by the outbreak of the Ebola virus. 

She has been there for two years and advises six charities in the country who work together on water, sanitation and hygiene. 

Cathy, from Gilpin Green, said: "Since the outbreak of Ebola earlier this year, the poorest and most vulnerable communities that I work with have been devastated by the virus. 

"Dead bodies lay in the streets of the capital Monrovia and hospitals and clinics shut down, as they simply couldn't cope. This also had a knock-on effect which meant pregnant women were giving birth without any support and children suffering from malaria couldn't get treatment."

To date, the Ebola virus has killed more than 7,500 people in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

Oxfam is focusing on preventing the spread of the disease and in Liberia alone has reached more than 320,000 people through supporting medical facilities with water, sanitation and protective clothing and by establishing a network of community volunteers who are educating people about the virus. 

Cathy continued: "The impact Ebola has had on the country goes beyond the immediate health emergency. Schools have shut down, so children are missing their education and trade has been affected too, with many people now out of work and this has particularly affected women."

Cathy is returning home to her husband at Christmas and says she has faced stigma from people, afraid that they will catch the virus from her.

She added: "Despite the fact the virus is not airborne and can't be passed on through ordinary social contact, friends have been nervous to see me over the Christmas period or actually refused to meet up. Whilst I am excited to be coming home for the holidays, I am also nervous about how people will react."

Donations to Oxfam's Ebola Crisis Appeal can be made via the Oxfam website at: www.oxfam.org.uk.