The Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) target livestock-owning communities affected by humanitarian crises. Drawing on international evidence-based best practice, LEGS supports practitioners to design and implement emergency responses that protect and rebuild livestock-based livelihoods.

In emergency contexts, feed, water, veterinary support, shelter and settlement, livestock offtake, and the provision of livestock, are the six critical interventions for saving livestock assets. To protect livelihoods, these interventions need to be feasible, appropriate and timely. Since 2009, the LEGS Handbook has significantly improved the quality and impact of livestock emergency response.

An extensive public consultation process has helped update the technical Standards, Key Actions and Guidance Notes in this third edition. There is greater focus on the principles that underpin LEGS, as well as step-by-step guidance on how to use the LEGS tools to develop an emergency response plan. The Handbook will be useful for all livestock specialists and humanitarians involved in emergency preparedness, response and recovery.