This is one of the recommendations contained in a UNDSS report on the security situation in the two districts, issued on October 6 2017.

The report further directed the suspension of all missions going to the affected areas- unless emergencies-should be temporarily suspended or transfer the risk to the implementing partners on the ground until the situation is back to normal.

In its analysis, the UN has linked the bloodsuckers issue to high level illiteracy coupled with idle minds.

UNDSS has also blamed chiefs for failing to help in disseminating messages against the possible existence of these rumours.

“Some chiefs are not courageous enough to advise their people the truth behind the rumours because they are afraid to become victims of mob justice,” reads the report in part.

Apparently concurring with Government, UN has said there was no evidence of anyone being drained blood from all health centers in Phalombe and Mulanje.

In the report, the UN also feared that the matter would trigger the rise of HIV and AIDS as “people are forced to leave their homes and sleep outside leaving their houses unsecure and exposing adolescent girls to all sorts of sexual abuse”.

 According to the global agency, some vandals are using the bloodsuckers as a ploy to steal.

“The angry community target the rich and steal or damage their properties. They use these tactics to distract people so that they can steal from their houses. A case in point is of GVH Khatingo whose maize was stolen during the fracas.  

Meanwhile, President Peter Mutharika is set to visit the bloodsuckers’ hotspots in Mulanje, Phalombe and Chiradzulu beginning this weekend.