Haitian President Rene Preval has urged the UN to establish a special force to coordinate humanitarian operations and international response in disaster-hit areas.

Preval said the UN peacekeeping forces, known as "blue helmets," are not trained to assist in post-disaster relief. The rapid disaster response force could be named "red helmets."

"For rapid and coordinated distribution of humanitarian aid and food among the country's population, a "red helmet" force should be established under the UN aegis," the Haitian president said after a memorial service for the quake victims held in Port-au-Prince on Saturday.

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti last Tuesday. While the death toll is not yet known, there are fears that up to 200,000 people may have lost their lives.

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday increased the peacekeeping contingent in Haiti by 1,500 police and 2,000 troops amid increased reports of looting and other crimes in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.

The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) currently numbers just over 9,000 police and troops.

MEXICO, January 24 (RIA Novosti)