``We are struggling to manage the numbers,'' said executive director Ron Smith, who said the situation was made more difficult by unanswered questions about how the agreement will be implemented. The fear is that as many as 700 other refugees now in Buffalo will show up at the Peace Bridge without an appointment before the deadline and become stranded.

Who are these refugees?

About half of refugees in the Niagara region are from Colombia, while others come from African nations and the Middle East, officials said.

More information is available at Vive, the World Refugee Organization. From their home page:

Since 1984, VIVE, Inc. has assisted asylum seekers making their way into Canada. VIVE provides food, shelter, medical, legal, and other services to refugees who would otherwise be homeless in the city of Buffalo.

Throughout the years, despite numerous language and cultural differences, VIVE's staff has dedicated themselves to welcoming these refugees into the community and easing their transition into North American culture.

Elie Wiesel once said that he believed a society can be measured and judged by its attitude toward strangers. The unwavering support that has been shown to VIVE is truly indicative of how favorably our community can be judged. You can support VIVE's mission in a variety of different ways. Volunteer your time with us. Keep yourself informed about refugee issues that are affecting people around the world. Read through our site and learn more about VIVE and the people we serve.