This case study examines how alternative approaches to rinderpest eradication evolved in the complex emergency context of southern Sudan. The researchers also explore how initial experiences informed the establishment of a large scale community based animal health worker (CAHW) system.

Although the case study is limited to experiences in southern Sudan, these findings have implications for UN interventions in other complex emergencies in Africa and elsewhere. Among other findings, the authors report that:

• The existing FAO Technical Handbooks are inadequate with regards to livestock programming in complex emergencies
• The Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) Livestock Program and other sectoral programs in southern Sudan would have been greatly assisted by coherent developmental relief policies in UN agencies and donors
• Within the Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO TCE) or AGA there seems to be limited analysis of lessons learned from different livestock relief interventions around the world.