Medvedev, Ambraseys & Dubvov, Skopje 29 Sept-2 Oct 1964

Ths M6.1 Skopje (former Jugoslavia) earthquake of 26 July 1963 had destroyed 80% of the city, killing more than 1000 people and leaving 200,000 homeless, resulting in a huge international relief and rebuilding effort. John F. Kennedy mobilized US involvement, and Nikita Khrushchev lead a Russian relief effort and visited the ruins. The reconstruction of Skopje was guided by earthquake engineers.

Following the earthquake, Medvedev, Ambraseys & Dubvov were instrumental in forming the European Commission of the International association for Earthquake Engineering. Ambraseys was elected its first secretary. (See Eulogy by Prof Atilla Ansel). In 1970 its name was changed to the European Committee for Earthquake Engineering (EECE), and in 1975 to the European Association for Earthquake Engineering (EEAE). In 2008 the EEAE established the Nicholas Ambraseys Distinguished Lecture Award in his honor.

In 1998 Ambraseys was awarded the "Freedom of Skopje" for his role in reconstructing the city.