A Cambodian Mother's Worry: A Baby on the Way Amid Border Chaos

In the midst of a border dispute, a pregnant woman finds herself in a tough spot. Suang Sreang, 27 and nine months pregnant, is now in a makeshift camp. She fled her home in Ou Beichoan commune when fighting broke out between Cambodia and Thailand. This isn't just any fight. It's the worst border clash since July. Tens of thousands of people have left their homes because of it. Suang isn't just worried about the fighting. She's about to have a baby. She left everything behind when she ran. Now, she's in a crowded, hot camp. The sound of fighting is still close. She doesn't know where to go to have her baby. The camps are full. There's not enough food, water, or shelter for everyone. Aid groups are trying to help, but it's not easy. The fighting started last Monday. It's spread to the coast now. Both sides are using heavy weapons. The Thai Prime Minister says they won't stop until they feel safe. Cambodia has set up over 100 evacuation centers. Around 130, 000 people are in these camps now. The governor of Oddar Meanchey province says people are helping each other. But they all want the same thing: peace. Suang is just one of many in this situation. She's thinking about her baby. She's thinking about her other children. She's thinking about the future. But right now, she's just trying to stay safe. She's hoping for peace. She's hoping for a better place to have her baby. She's hoping for a lot of things. But for now, she's just hoping to get through this.