This Network Paper discusses livelihoods-based livestock programming and its role in humanitarian emergency response. It highlights the importance of taking livelihood assets, in particular livestock, into account in responding to emergencies and describes how the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) Project has been developed to support this process.

LEGS aims to promote the use of livelihoodbased livestock responses to emergencies, through building the capacity of humanitarian actors to plan and intervene appropriately. LEGS can also be used to assist in the evaluation of emergency responses by providing a framework and benchmark against which interventions can be reviewed.

There is much more that can and should be done to support people’s livelihoods through livestock-based responses to emergencies. LEGS and the growing body of practical experience are an exciting way forward for improving and expanding livestock responses.