KINSHASA, Sept 25, 2008 (AFP) - A human rights coalition deplored on Thursday the 'drastic deterioration' of the humanitarian situation in the restive eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Congo Advocacy Coalition, which groups 80 global and local organisations, warned that civilians were in a 'desperate' situation since fighting resumed between rebels and the army nearly a month ago.

'Renewed combat in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has caused a drastic deterioration in the humanitarian situation and immense suffering for civilians,' the coalition said in a statement.

Since August 28, Laurent Nkunda's rebel National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) have clashed with the army in the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu in violation of a January peace agreement.

'According to witnesses, some civilians were trapped in combat zones and were killed, wounded, raped or illegally detained by soldiers of the Congolese army and combatants of other armed groups,' said the coalition.

The fighting has forced 100,000 people from their homes in the two Kivu provinces, according to UN estimates, raising to 1.3 million the number of displaced people since the start of the year.

The coalition, which includes Human Rights Watch and the International Rescue Committee, called for 'urgent action to improve protection of civilians and an immediate increase in assistance to vulnerable populations.'

'The situation for civilians is desperate, and it threatens to deteriorate further if fighting continues,' Rebecca Feeley of the ENOUGH Project said in the coalition statement.

'All the parties who signed the Goma peace agreement should adhere strictly to their obligations, including to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian and human rights law,' she said.