LEGS is underpinned by a livelihoods approach and is currently based on three livelihoods objectives:

• Providing immediate assistance to crisis-affected communities
• Protecting the livestock-related assets of crisis-affected communities
• Assisting the re-building of key assets among crisis-affected communities

LEGS will focus on the overlap between emergencies, livelihoods and livestock. The scope will be global, although much of the initial material may be drawn from Africa given the relatively large amount of emergency work conducted there.

LEGS will focus on the process of identifying needs and analysing which interventions are most appropriate to support the livelihoods of the affected populations, at which times, and in which emergencies. LEGS recognizes that climate change is resulting in more complex and unpredictable types of disaster. Hence the Guidelines will incorporate tools to help in the process of identifying needs and analysing which interventions are most appropriate to support the livelihoods of the affecting populations, at which times, and in which emergencies.The Guidelines will use the basic format of Sphere, i.e. Standards (general principles or keys stages which must be followed); Indicators (qualitative or quantitative measures to achieve the Standards) and Guidance notes (in support of the Indicators). Each section will also include references to where detailed technical guidelines and other materials may be obtained.

The key technical areas to be covered within the three livelihoods objectives are:

• Commercial off-take of livestock
• Destocking, emergency slaughter and meat distribution
• Supplementary feeding for livestock
• Water provision for livestock
• Veterinary care
• Shelter for livestock
• Provision of livestock to disaster-affected communities

Focal Point people have been identified to lead the development of the standards and guidelines for each technical area.

At present some topics are not covered by LEGS because information is already available elsewhere, or because other processes may be better suited to develop guidelines on those issues. In the case of trans-boundary animal disease outbreaks, the FAO Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases has developed guidelines on emergency preparedness and response for such outbreaks.