The UN has been forced to withdraw a portion of its contingent from two districts in southern Malawi because of "vampire hunting" that resulted in five deaths in the region, the UN Security Department said.
According to the organization's report, belief in witchcraft rituals, in which human blood is needed, is very popular in the rural areas of this African country, one of the poorest in the world.
"These districts are heavily affected by recurring stories of human blood drinking and the possible existence of vampires," the report said.
According to Reuters, the UN coordinator, Florence Rolle, "some UN soldiers have been displaced while others remain in the districts, depending on the location of their operations."
In all, since mid-September, seven people accused of being vampires have been lynched in Malawi. At the same time, vampire hunters blocked several roads in the south of the country.
However, she noted that UNDSS continues to monitor the situation in this area.
Malawi's president, Peter Mutharika, described the situation as "distressing" and said he ordered an investigation into the deaths of alleged "vampires."
In 2002, Malawi also suffered a wave of violence sparked by rumors about vampires.
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