A FORMER Bramhope man has been awarded the MBE for his work in countries devastated by war, famine and floods.

Paul Smith-Lomas, Oxfam's Humanitarian Director, has been working to improve conditions in the Third World for more than 20 years.

A trained mechanical engineer, he started off doing two years with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), moved on to ActionAid and then to Oxfam, where he has worked for the last ten years.

Mr Smith-Lomas, 39, a former Otley Prince Henry's Grammar School pupil whose parents, Jean and Philip Kendall-Smith live in Otley, said: "I was always interested in international affairs at university and had this plan to do VSO for two years and then return to my original career.

"But I found it so interesting that I stayed with it and 20 years on I still find it interesting and challenging."

In the ten years he has worked for Oxfam, Mr Smith-Lomas has helped people whose lives have been destroyed by famine, floods, hurricanes and war. In 1994 in Zaire, he had two weeks to set up a water supply system for a refugee camp the size of Leeds.

"It was the most dramatic thing I've done, leading a team to set up a water supply system for 800,000 people," he said. "It was very much a team effort and a phenomenal achievement."

He also travelled to northern Afghanistan to deliver emergency supplies to remote villages after the country suffered a devastating earthquake. Now he heads a team of 90 people who are sent out to emergencies all over the world.

He also works with the United Nations to change worldwide policies towards poorer nations.

Mr Smith-Lomas said he was delighted but surprised to be made an MBE. "It was very nice to get it and not only for me but nice for the team of people that I work with, it's nice that recognition is given to people who help those all over the world."

Throughout 1999 and last year, he managed Oxfam's programme responding to the crisis in Kosovo.

"At one time in a very fast moving environment we were working in five countries supplying safe water for almost half a million people. We ultimately assisted 1.6 million people.

"Last year, I made a presentation to the United Nations Security Council in New York on the needs of civilians in the middle of armed conflict. It felt a long way from my beginnings as a young VSO water engineer in Sudan."

David Bryer, Oxfam's director, said: "Paul has made a real difference to the lives of some of the world's poorest people. I'm really pleased that his dedication and achievements have been given the recognition they deserve."

Mr Smith-Lomas, who is married to Suzanne, who also went to Prince Henry's Grammar School, lives in Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire with their two children. They are regular visitors to Otley.