Disaster management

Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS)

The Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) have been developed as a set of international guidelines and standards for the design, implementation and assessment of livestock interventions to assist people affected by humanitarian crises.

Released in 2009 to improve the quality and professionalism of emergency livestock responses, LEGS outlines minimum standards in how to distribute animal feed, water, shelter and veterinary services; how best to destock flocks; and the right conditions for distributing livestock. The guidelines (which are also available in French and Arabic) can be downloaded from the LEGS website.

Overseas Group disaster management resource how it helps in disaster work

The BVA Overseas Group formed the disaster management resource to bring together experts in animal health and welfare issues with hands on knowledge of animal/human interdependence and the devastating socio-economic impact that comes from disasters.

The aim of the resource is to develop a database of professionals to

provide expertise and advice to governments and humanitarian agencies with regard to appropriate veterinary disaster management interventions
support individual veterinarians involved in disaster work

The BVA Overseas Group’s worldwide working network with organisations such as the

Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) and the
World Veterinary Association (WVA) allows the exchange of information and experiences.

This international focus on veterinary issues enables provision of sustainable benefit to affected communities.

We would like to hear from colleagues

with significant overseas experience
who are interested in becoming involved in supporting a veterinary disaster management resource for organisations
involved in crisis work overseas

Please contact Helena Cotton, +44 (0)20 7636 6541, helenac@bva.co.uk