Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof

This Directive sets up a scheme to deal with mass arrivals in the EU of foreign nationals who cannot return to their countries – in particular due to war, violence or human rights violations. It puts in place immediate temporary protection for these displaced people. It also promotes a balance of efforts between EU countries in receiving people. This Directive does not require compulsory distribution of asylum-seekers across EU countries.