Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What, if any, remedies are there?

Rick Olsen is a world traveler, having been to all 50 states and 44 countries. Stanford Law School and two Ph.D. programs and a wealth of diverse professional experiences fill his resume. For several years, he has been working and funding activities in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in SW Uganda.