(VOVworld) - EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to step up efforts to contain Ebola and prevent it from becoming a global epidemic. The 28 ministers said “a united, coordinated and increased effort is needed” within the EU, and that Ebola-infected countries and neighboring countries must be given "the necessary and appropriate assistance". They will appoint a coordinator of EU policies to fight the Ebola epidemic, which so far has claimed more than 4,500 lives. EU nations are trying to raise 1 billion euros (1.3 billion USD) in aid and are deploying rapid response teams of volunteer health workers to prevent Ebola’s transmission.

On Monday, the World Food Program (WFP) warned that Ebola is contributing to food shortages and socioeconomic degradation in West Africa. It has received only one third of the 179 million USD urgently needed to deal with West Africa’s food shortage.