PTSD — Migration Trauma

PTSD — Migration Trauma

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops following exposure to traumatic events. Among Ethiopian Israelis who immigrated in the 1984 wave (Operation Moses) and the 1991 wave (Operation Solomon), PTSD prevalence is particularly elevated. Foot journeys through Sudan and Ethiopia, the loss of family members along the way, experiences of hunger and violence, and the subsequent shock of integration into Israeli society — all created deep psychological wounds that many carry to this day.

PTSD is characterized by symptoms including: flashbacks and recurring nightmares of traumatic events, avoidance of situations that evoke the trauma, hyperarousal — irritability, sleep difficulties, and heightened sensitivity to stimuli — and a sense of emotional disconnection. Among the second generation, there is also "intergenerational trauma": children who grew up with PTSD-affected parents absorb the effects even without direct exposure to the original events.

One of the most significant treatment barriers is linguistic: most psychological therapies in Israel are provided in Hebrew only, and there are insufficient Amharic-speaking therapists. Additionally, in traditional Ethiopian culture, PTSD is sometimes perceived as weakness or as something to be hidden — rather than as a legitimate, treatable medical condition.

Evidence-based PTSD treatments include: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and in some cases — medication. NATAL and AMCHA are Israeli organizations specializing in trauma treatment that offer services adapted for immigrant populations.