LEGS Handbook

LEGS is an independent initiative that aims to improve the quality and livelihoods impact of livestock-related projects in humanitarian situations.

Coming Soon!

The 3rd edition of the LEGS Handbook (English version) will be released on Tuesday 27th June. Pre-order your copy now.

Join us for the global launch webinar.

28 June 2023 at 9:30 a.m. BST

Register now.

Everyone in the LEGS Community of Practice is welcome to join. Here are the speakers and each of their topics:

Cathy Watson – LEGS Coordinator: Introduction to the new Handbook

Emmanuella Olesambu – Focal person for East and Southern Africa, TCE, FAO and LEGS Advisory Group member: The evidence base for LEGS and the importance of LEGS institutionalisation

Dr. Genene Regassa – Ethiopia Country Director for VSF-Germany and LEGS trainer: Using and adapting LEGS in context

Lubna Saeed – Community Development Officer for Brooke Pakistan: Using LEGS to support working animals

LEGS 3rd edition handbook front cover

Download the Handbook Launch Flyer.

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The revision of LEGS Handbook includes significant changes in content and form. The new structure, improved design, changes to the foundations chapters and Plain English used, allow for easier access and understanding for both livestock specialists and humanitarians, even for a first-time users. The links to other chapters and other Humanitarian Standards Partnership (HSP) handbooks are also welcome.

Maty Ba Diaoformer Regional Coordinator, Projet Régional d'Appui au Pastoralisme au Sahel (PRAPS)
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I welcome this third edition of the LEGS handbook, which is even more reader friendly, easy to use, relevant to changing contexts, and supported by more case studies. It includes innovative tools to identify how to respond to emergencies, and has assessed past interventions and experiences to guide future planning. The consultative process and outreach have gone beyond the previous edition. I am sure the tools in the handbook will be very useful for both humanitarian and development actors working in the area of food security focusing on livestock-based livelihoods.

Vikrant MahjanCEO, Sphere India
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This third edition has enriched content and more simplified language, and has been revised in line with community of practice comments as part of greater local ownership of the LEGS approach. The Handbook clearly illustrates the interlinked nature of lives and livelihoods, and the new chapter on emergency response planning integrating key tools will support the saving of lives and protecting the livelihoods of affected communities.

Dr. Kisa Juma Ngeiywaformer Director of Veterinary Services (DVS) Kenya
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This third edition of the LEGS handbook is more user-friendly, includes new core principles such as ensuring community participation or supporting gender-sensitive programming, and offers updated standards, key actions and guidance notes. As one of the contributors to the LEGS handbook since its inception, VSF is committed to continuously training its staff to ensure a thorough understanding of the LEGS principles and standards and their application. The handbook is thus an essential complement to the trainings, and this improved third edition will be an easy-to-use manual for field staff at any stage of a crisis response.

Margherita GomarascaCoordinator, VSF International
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The LEGS handbook provides a common language and framework for livestock practitioners, enabling joint planning and clear mapping of needs and gaps. The new edition will be instrumental to enable teams to undertake pre-emptive actions to reduce the loss of livestock assets and production with its key feature on preparedness and early action. Furthermore, the inclusion of additional details on cash and voucher assistance will strengthen cash plus livestock interventions. The guidelines have been, and will continue to be, instrumental in quality responses through continuous learning and exchange amongst partners, including policy makers.

Rein PaulsenDirector of Emergencies and Resilience Office, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

3rd Edition Content

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 is useful for all livestock specialists and humanitarians involved in emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

The first three chapters focus on general principles and decision making:

  • Chapter 1 introduces LEGS and provides an overview of emergencies, livestock and livelihoods.
  • Chapter 2 presents the eight LEGS Principles that underpin all LEGS-based interventions
  • Chapter 3 provides step by step guidance and tools for emergency response planning

The remaining chapters focus on the six technical intervention areas (namely: feed, water, veterinary support, shelter, livestock offtake, and the provision of livestock), and include:

  • The implications of selecting a particular technical option or activity
  • Links to the LEGS Principles and livelihoods objectives
  • Standards, Key Actions and Guidance Notes
  • Indicators for monitoring and impact assessment
  • Sources of further information, including existing guidelines, technical briefs and toolkits

The 3rd edition is also being translated into French, Spanish and Arabic. Those versions will be released in September 2023.