LEGS Launch Events

Addis Ababa Launch

LEGS was formally launched at the Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa on May 6^th 2009, hosted by the Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union. The event was attended by over 60 participants including diplomats, donors, UN, NGO and government officials.

Following an introduction by the Chairperson, Dr Simon Mack, Senior Officer, Livestock Production Group (AGA),FAO, and member of the LEGS Steering Group, a presentation was made by Ms Nancy Estes, Acting Mission Director of USAID. She was followed by Dr Andy Catley, Research Director Tufts University and member of the LEGS Steering Group, who gave a brief introduction to the origins and content of LEGS, and Ms Nejat Abdi Mohammed, Gender & Livelihoods Diversification Officer, Save the Children US, who presented a case study of livestock emergency feeding in Somali Region, Ethiopia. The closing speech was given by Dr Solomon Hailemariam, Advocacy Officer, PATTEC Coordination, Department for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union and member of the LEGS Steering Group, on behalf of HE Roda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union.

LEGS Launch in London

A second launch event was held in London at the Overseas Development Institute on June 4^th 2009, attended by 45 representatives of NGOs, donors and research institutions. Wendy Fenton of ODI’s Humanitarian Practice Network chaired the event and presentations were made by Simon Mack, Senior Animal Production Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and member of the LEGS Steering Group, and Tim Leyland of the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Copies of the ODI Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) paper on the development of LEGS were also available.

“High quality standard guidelines are critical to ensure that our emergency work is the best that it can be. We have seen this through the SPHERE guidelines on emergency standards, which have provided an agreed standard that we strive to achieve in emergencies. The LEGS guidelines and standards fill a critical gap not covered by the SPHERE guidelines on livestock in emergencies.” Nancy Estes, Acting Mission Director, USAID Ethiopia, speaking at the LEGS Addis Launch

“I would hope that the African Union can become a champion of such livelihoods-based thinking and response in the future. The African Union’s Department for Rural Economy and Agriculture has been proud to be a part of the development and launch of these guidelines. We trust that they will make a valuable contribution to the lives and livelihoods of those across our continent affected by humanitarian disasters.” HE Roda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union, closing speech at the LEGS Addis Launch

Simon Mack at the LEGS London Launch

Tim Leyland at the LEGS London Launch