The Joint Social and Economic Assessment (JSEA) has been prepared in response to a request from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) in Yemen, and was undertaken jointly by the World Bank, the United Nations, the European Union, and the Islamic Development Bank. The JSEA's main purpose is to assess the social and economic impact of the crisis in Yemen, and to identify challenges and key priorities for early interventions, primarily for the transition period, which is expected to stretch into the first half of 2014. There is no doubt that uncertainties and risks around the transition remain and these will need to be managed and mitigated. To reduce the risk of strategic failure it will be useful to formulate a succession of transition points marked by consultative conferences, etc. while building coalitions and offering a narrative of change and trust. The process will need to deliver rapid and tangible results and focus on prioritization, appropriate sequencing, and creating broad ownership through a transitional compact.