LEGS is pleased to announce the publication of its 20-year anniversary report, marking two decades of advancing quality and accountability in livestock emergency response.
For millions of people worldwide, livestock are at the heart of daily life – providing food, income, transport and a vital buffer against hardship. In times of crisis, protecting these assets is essential for sustaining livelihoods, ensuring food security and supporting recovery. Yet historically, livestock support in humanitarian response has often been overlooked, delayed or poorly targeted.
Established in 2006, LEGS was created to address this gap. Over the past 20 years, LEGS has developed into a globally recognised framework, providing practical, evidence-based guidance to support timely, appropriate and effective livestock-based interventions in emergencies. Through its standards, handbook and training programmes, LEGS has helped build a shared approach to improving humanitarian action for livestock-keeping communities worldwide.
The new report highlights key milestones in the evolution of LEGS, from the development of the LEGS Handbook – now in its third edition and available in multiple languages – to the expansion of a global training network reaching practitioners in over 90 countries. It also showcases the increasing institutionalisation of LEGS within national systems, as well as its role in shaping more effective, timely, and context-appropriate livestock responses worldwide.
Drawing on experiences from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, the report demonstrates how LEGS has contributed to better decision-making, stronger coordination, and improved outcomes for livestock-keeping communities affected by disasters. It also reflects the growing recognition of livestock as a critical component of humanitarian response and resilience-building efforts.
As a founding member of the Humanitarian Standards Partnership, LEGS continues to work alongside other standards initiatives, including Sphere, to promote quality and accountability in crisis response.
Looking ahead, LEGS remains committed to strengthening its global reach, supporting national institutions, and ensuring that livestock-based livelihoods are fully integrated into humanitarian policy and practice.
