Therefore, countries of the region should step up their efforts to improve the living conditions of the poor. Although the worst of the crisis is expected to have passed by the second half of 2009, meaning it would have been shorter lived and not as deep as initially predicted, there is, nonetheless, still a possibility of a slow recovery and of employment only recovering after a long contraction. Given the macroeconomic context, which is less vulnerable in this crisis, and given the progress that has been made in the area of social protection, there is a possibility that the social fallout from the crisis can be mitigated more effectively. That highlights the need for governments to take action to close the social gaps and make progress towards social cohesion.