Seidu Mohammed (R), holds a record from a refugee board hearing allowing him to stay in Canada, as Razak Iyal looks on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, June 9, 2017. The men from Ghana lost fingers to frostbite in December 2016, crossing the border as refugees into Canada from the United States. Photo taken June 9, 2017. REUTERS/Rod Nickel 

Medical volunteers carry a wounded anti-government protester at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 21, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. Photo taken January 21, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Medical volunteers help an anti-government protester at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 21, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. Photo taken January 21, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A medical volunteer stands between anti-government protesters at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 27, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A medical volunteer helps an anti-government protester at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 27, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) 

Anti-government protesters stand at the entrance of an improvised hospital at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 27, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

An anti-government protester leaves an improvised hospital at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 27, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Medical volunteers and anti-government protesters stand at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 24, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. Photo taken January 24, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Medical volunteers carry a wounded journalist at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 20, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. Photo taken January 20, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MEDIA) 

A medical volunteer helps an anti-government protester at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 27, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A medical volunteer talks with anti-government protesters at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 27, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A masked anti-government protester stands guard at an entrance of an improvised hospital at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 27, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A medical volunteer helps an injured anti-government protester at the site of clashes with riot police in Kiev January 22, 2014. Injured anti-government protesters fearing arrest are shunning Kiev's hospitals and choosing to undergo operations in field clinics run by an army of volunteer doctors. Since clashes between activists and security forces worsened last week, doctors have faced more serious injuries, colds and frostbite from the seering cold escalating to flesh wounds, gas burns and concussions from the violence. Photo taken January 22, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST HEALTH) 

Naki'o, a mixed-breed dog with four prosthetic devices, goes for a run in Colorado Springs April 12, 2013. Naki'o lost all four feet to frostbite when he was abandoned as a puppy in a foreclosed home. Picture taken April 12, 2013. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS HEALTH TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR BEST QUALITY IMAGE: ALSO SEE GF2E96B14PH01. 

Naki'o, a mixed-breed dog with four prosthetic devices, goes for a run in Colorado Springs April 12, 2013. Naki'o lost all four feet to frostbite when he was abandoned as a puppy in a foreclosed home. Picture taken April 12, 2013. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS HEALTH) 

Naki'o, a mixed-breed dog with four prosthetic devices, jumps for a treat in Colorado Springs April 12, 2013. Naki'o lost all four feet to frostbite when he was abandoned as a puppy in a foreclosed home. Picture taken April 12, 2013. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS HEALTH) 

Naki'o, a dog with four prosthetic devices shows off one of his legs with the prosthetic and one of his legs without, in Colorado Springs April 12, 2013. Naki'o lost all four feet to frostbite when he was abandoned as a puppy in a foreclosed home. Picture taken April 12, 2013. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS HEALTH) 

Naki'o, a mixed-breed dog with four prosthetic devices, shows the mountain bike tire tread used for the bottom of his paw, in Colorado Springs April 12, 2013. Naki'o lost all four feet to frostbite when he was abandoned as a puppy in a foreclosed home. Picture taken April 12, 2013. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS HEALTH) 

Naki'o, a mixed-breed dog with four prosthetic devices, poses for a photo in Colorado Springs April 12, 2013. Naki'o lost all four feet to frostbite when he was abandoned as a puppy in a foreclosed home. Picture taken April 12, 2013. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS HEALTH) 

Naki'o, a dog with four OrthoPet prosthetic devices runs in Colorado Springs April 12, 2013. Naki'o lost all four feet to frostbite when he was abandoned as a puppy in a foreclosed home. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES) BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE 

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes poses for a photograph with charity patron and actress Joanna Lumley (L) during a news conference in a hotel, after his arrival at Heathrow Airport in London March 4, 2013. The 68-year-old was forced to pull out of an expedition across Antarctica during winter due to frostbite. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SOCIETY) 

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes listens during a news conference in a hotel, after his arrival at Heathrow Airport in London March 4, 2013. The 68-year-old was forced to pull out of an expedition across Antarctica during winter due to frostbite. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SOCIETY) 

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes is interviewed after a news conference in a hotel, after his arrival at Heathrow Airport in London March 4, 2013. The 68-year-old was forced to pull out of an expedition across Antarctica during winter due to frostbite. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SOCIETY) 

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes looks at his injured hand during a news conference in a hotel, after his arrival at Heathrow Airport in London March 4, 2013. The 68-year-old was forced to pull out of an expedition across Antarctica during winter due to frostbite. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SOCIETY) 

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes listens during a news conference in a hotel, after his arrival at Heathrow Airport in London March 4, 2013. The 68-year-old was forced to pull out of an expedition across Antarctica during winter due to frostbite. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SOCIETY) 

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes looks at his injured hand during a news conference in a hotel, after his arrival at Heathrow Airport in London March 4, 2013. The 68-year-old was forced to pull out of an expedition across Antarctica during winter due to frostbite. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SOCIETY) 

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes looks at his injured hand during a news conference in a hotel, after his arrival at Heathrow Airport in London March 4, 2013. The 68-year-old was forced to pull out of an expedition across Antarctica during winter due to frostbite. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A man, who suffered frostbite, sits in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 13 degrees Celsius (8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev February 6, 2012. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man, who suffered frostbite, sits in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 13 degrees Celsius (8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev February 6, 2012. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man, who suffered frostbite, lies in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 13 degrees Celsius (8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev February 6, 2012. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man, who suffered frostbite, lies in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 13 degrees Celsius (8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev February 6, 2012. REUTERS/GLEB GARANICH (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man, who suffered frostbite, lies in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 13 degrees Celsius (8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev February 6, 2012. REUTERS/GLEB GARANICH (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man, who suffered frostbite, lies in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 13 degrees Celsius (8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev February 6, 2012. REUTERS/GLEB GARANICH (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man, suffering from frostbite, receives medical aid inside an ambulance during a charity event held by social movements and the Russian Orthodox church to help homeless people in the southern city of Stavropol, February 2, 2012. The air temperature was about minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit). Record-low temperatures in parts of Eastern Europe pushed the death toll from Arctic conditions to at least 89 people on Wednesday, and have forced Russian gas provider Gazprom to warn over supplies to Europe. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko (RUSSIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man who suffered a frostbite lies in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev, February 1, 2012. Record-low temperatures in parts of Eastern Europe pushed the death toll from Arctic conditions to at least 89 people on Wednesday, and have forced Russian gas provider Gazprom to warn over supplies to Europe. In Ukraine, 43 people have died in the past five days, its emergency ministry said, as the former Soviet republic shivered through its coldest winter in six years. Overnight temperatures sank as low as minus 33 degrees Celsius (minus 27 Fahrenheit) and hundreds of heated tents have been put up to shelter the homeless. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

A man who suffered a frostbite lies in a hospital, with the air temperature at about minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, in Kiev, February 1, 2012. Record-low temperatures in parts of Eastern Europe pushed the death toll from Arctic conditions to at least 89 people on Wednesday, and have forced Russian gas provider Gazprom to warn over supplies to Europe. In Ukraine, 43 people have died in the past five days, its emergency ministry said, as the former Soviet republic shivered through its coldest winter in six years. Overnight temperatures sank as low as minus 33 degrees Celsius (minus 27 Fahrenheit) and hundreds of heated tents have been put up to shelter the homeless. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Baby socks and a leaflet are displayed before being released hanging from a balloon towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY SOCIETY) 

A balloon carrying a box containing pairs of socks is seen in the sky after being released by members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

Members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, fly balloons with boxes containing pairs of socks towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

North Korean defector Lee Ju-sung, who escaped from North Korea in 2006, holds pairs of socks stapled with messages before he and members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, fly a box containing pairs of socks using a balloon towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

Members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, prepare to fly a balloon with a box containing pairs of socks towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

A member of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, holds a balloon before flying it with a box containing pairs of socks towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

Members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, hold a balloon before flying it with a box containing pairs of socks towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

Members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, fly balloons with boxes containing pairs of socks towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, fly balloons with boxes containing pairs of socks towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

Members of North Korea Peace, an international volunteer group helping North Koreans, release a balloon with a box containing pairs of socks towards North Korea near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 50 km (32 miles) north of Seoul, December 24, 2011. The volunteer group sent 1,000 pairs of socks stapled with messages of hope and love to North Korea via inflated balloons on Saturday. According to them, the warm socks are a critical necessity during severe winter season in North Korea, where many people lose their foot and legs due to frostbite. The socks can be exchanged for approximately 22 pounds of corn in the local market, enough food for one month. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

A medical technician checks Aurelie Revillet of France for frostbite after she completed a practice run for the women's downhill World Cup ski race in Are February 23, 2011. The temperature prior to the practice round stood at -28 C (-18 F). REUTERS/Bob Strong (SWEDEN - Tags: SPORT SKIING) 

Sir Ranulph Fiennes rests his left hand with amputated finger tips on a chair during lunch with friends in Kathmandu May 24, 2009. Aged 65, Fiennes became the oldest Briton to climb Mount Everest when he reached the summit on May 21, 2009. He amputated the fingertips on his left hand after sustaining severe frostbite during an attempted expedition to the North Pole in 2000. REUTERS/Shruti Shrestha (NEPAL SOCIETY) 

People with severe frostbite rest in an overcrowded hospital for thermal injuries after temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) hit Barnaul in the Altai region January 21, 2009. REUTERS/Andrei Kasprishin (RUSSIA) 

People with severe frostbite rest in an overcrowded hospital for thermal injuries after temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) hit Barnaul in the Altai region January 21, 2009. REUTERS/Andrei Kasprishin (RUSSIA) 

A man with severe frostbite rests in an overcrowded hospital for thermal injuries after temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) hit Barnaul in the Altai region January 21, 2009. REUTERS/Andrei Kasprishin (RUSSIA) 

Dutch mountaineer Cas Van De Gevel shows his infected fingers as he speaks to reporters at a local hotel in Islamabad August 7, 2008. Van De Gevel, was ferried to the hospital at Skardu on Monday along with fellow Dutchman Wilco van Rooijen, the leader of one of the ill-fated teams involved in the worst-ever climbing disaster on K2. Eleven climbers from Europe, South Korea and Pakistan died, mostly as a result of an ice fall during their descent after summitting the 8,611 metre (28,240 foot) peak late on Friday. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood (PAKISTAN) 

Homeless amputees whose limbs were amputated due to severe frostbite lie at a hospital in Bishkek, February 13, 2008. Extreme cold is no surprise to the 60 million people scattered across a region wedged between Russia, China and Iran, but this year's winter has exposed the poor state of crumbling Soviet-era utilities and pipelines and sparked energy shortages. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN) 

Homeless amputees whose limbs were amputated due to severe frostbite talk at a hospital in Bishkek, February 13, 2008. Extreme cold is no surprise to the 60 million people scattered across a region wedged between Russia, China and Iran, but this year's winter has exposed the poor state of crumbling Soviet-era utilities and pipelines and sparked energy shortages. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN) 

Homeless amputees whose limbs were amputated due to frostbite lie at a hospital in Bishkek, February 13, 2008. Extreme cold is no surprise to the 60 million people scattered across a region wedged between Russia, China and Iran, but this year's winter has exposed the poor state of crumbling Soviet-era utilities and pipelines and sparked energy shortages. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN) 

A homeless amputee whose limbs were amputated due to frostbite lies at a hospital in Bishkek, February 13, 2008. Extreme cold is no surprise to the 60 million people scattered across a region wedged between Russia, China and Iran, but this year's winter has exposed the poor state of crumbling Soviet-era utilities and pipelines and sparked energy shortages. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN) 

A homeless amputee with frostbites sits at a hospital in Bishkek, February 13, 2008. Extreme cold is no surprise to the 60 million people scattered across a region wedged between Russia, China and Iran, but this year's winter has exposed the poor state of crumbling Soviet-era utilities and pipelines and sparked energy shortages. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN) 

A homeless amputee whose limbs were amputated due to severe frostbite lies at a hospital in Bishkek, February 13, 2008. Extreme cold is no surprise to the 60 million people scattered across a region wedged between Russia, China and Iran, but this year's winter has exposed the poor state of crumbling Soviet-era utilities and pipelines and sparked energy shortages. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN) 

Homeless amputees whose limbs were amputated from severe frostbite lie at a hospital in Bishkek, February 13, 2008. Extreme cold is no surprise to the 60 million people scattered across a region wedged between Russia, China and Iran, but this year's winter has exposed the poor state of crumbling Soviet-era utilities and pipelines and sparked energy shortages. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov (KYRGYZSTAN) 

Doctor, Sister Marie Benedict chats with a Mongolian man injured by frostbite at a hospital supported by nuns of Fraternite Notre Dame in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator January 19, 2006. The Fraternite Notre Dame project, run by a father, a brother and five nuns from the Catholic Church, includes a [soup kitchen, an orphanage and a hospital for homeless and poor Mongolian people.]