A Child's Voice Amidst Conflict
A Child's Voice Amidst Conflict
In a corner of a safety camp with over 4400 displaced family in Preah Vihear province, eight-year-old Na sat on a tarpaulin with a picture book in hand. Around her, children played and drew in the Child-Friendly Space set up by World Vision.
“I’m going to study,” she said proudly. “Tomorrow, I’m learning about cow” Then, with a sheepish grin, she turned to her mother and whispered, “Mum, I don’t know how to spell ‘cow’”
Na has been displaced to a safe centre – Wat PO 5000 since July 24, 2025. Since then she has been attending the Child-Friendly Space daily, joining reading camps with her friends from the village. It’s become a small sanctuary of normalcy and joy after days filled with fear and uncertainty. “Now that she knows the place, she always wants to go,” her mother said with a gentle smile.
On 24th July, their lives looked very different.
Na’s family never expected they would have to flee their home. On the morning the fighting broke out, her mother was at their farm clearing grass—just like any other day.
“We were about to start clearing the grass,” her mother recalled. “Suddenly, we heard fire—not just one, but repeated bursts of fire. We didn’t know what was happening.”
With no time to pack, they scrambled onto their hand tractor—the only means of transport they had—and fled with only the clothes on their backs.
“We got lost along the way,” her mother said. “We didn’t know the roads. When we were about to turn toward Near Moum Bei—the hotspot—they were shooting.”Thankfully, they were safely stopped by the Khmer military and redirected toward a safer route. “They guided us to the right place,” her mother said. “It was quiet, but we could still hear the bombing—it went over our heads.”
The escape was harrowing. The road ahead had been bombed.
“Our tractor was right in the middle,” her mother recalled. “We were crying. We didn’t know if we’d be hit. Cars just zoomed past—we followed slowly behind them.”
Now, at the safety camp, the family has found a little peace. They have shelter, access to clean water, toilets, and a safe place for their daughter to learn and play.
“The programme helps ease things a little,” said Na’s mother. “Since we left our village, the children haven’t been able to study. When they can’t study, it’s hard. But here, the team announced they could join learning activities—and they even received toys. So now, our children don’t go playing in the nearby water anymore—it’s too dangerous.”
For now, the family waits. Their home is just a 30-minute drive from Preah Vihear Temple, but they can’t return.
“Villagers said the heavy weapon fire has stopped, but there are still handgun shots. Soldiers are still patrolling near the border. We’re too scared to go back,” her mother said. This was just a day after a ceasefire agreement had been declared in the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict.
“I will go home when everything is peaceful and quiet again,” she added softly.
Until then, Na will continue learning new words, drawing with her friends, and finding comfort in the rhythm of reading camp—a space where healing begins, one story at a time.
World Vision International in Cambodia's Humanitarian Response
In response to the Cambodia–Thailand border crisis, World Vision has been supporting families displaced by conflict. Through 56 safety centres, World Vision International in Cambodia has reached more than 53,000 individuals, including 12,962 children. Field teams have established 24 Child-Friendly Spaces and distributed hygiene kits, food, and essential non-food items.
These interventions aim to ensure safety, and support emotional recovery—especially for the most vulnerable.
With a funding appeal of USD 300,000, World Vision International in Cambodia remains committed to protecting children and families through a coordinated, compassionate humanitarian response.