A risk can be measured through assessment and/or comparison components. Risk assessment is a key component in the measurement of risk in crisis management. It entails a thorough examination of potential situations, processes, and/or things that can cause harm, especially to human beings and their immediate environment. For instance, sudden accidents that result from either natural or technological factors pose potential threats, directly or indirectly, to the human population. An example of a technological risk can be seen in the case of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that resulted from a tsunami, considered a natural tragedy. Such situations are significantly destructive to not only to human and animal life but also to the environment and structures.
On the other hand, risk comparison is an important aspect of measuring situations that can lead to a crisis. The risk of unfamiliar practices is usually evaluated by comparing it with ones that are already known. Therefore, the acceptance of a risky process depends on the impact of similar practices in the past. This component entails the acknowledgment of all possible threats, their causes, likely time of occurrence, and predictable consequences to both biotic and abiotic environmental factors.
For instance, in the wake of advanced disaster prevention and management initiatives, countries have been challenged to prepare for natural and technological risks by comparing their own situations with those of other countries. This strategy helps in the promotion of more effective disaster management parameters. A multifaceted emergency can be caused by natural disasters or environmental stress. For instance, the frequent floods in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia have served as a benchmark for other countries to manage such disasters in the near future.