Victims who are displaced by the explosion in East Village Thursday are trying to make more permanent living plans. NY1's Bree Driscoll filed this report.

"I am wearing pretty much what I was wearing that day—what I have left. Luckily, I grabbed by cell and my wallet. Nothing else," says 37-year-old Micha Gerland.

Gerland's apartment was completely destroyed in Thursday's explosion and building collapse. He had just gotten back home from the gym when the disaster struck.

"And then suddenly there was this giant blast and the walls were shaking. The floor the ceiling was shaking. I didn't know what was going on," Gerland says.

Initially, after the explosion, Gerland didn't think the damage was that bad and called his boss at the German restaurant Zum Schneider.

"I talked to my boss actually. 'I am going to be a little bit late for work,' not expecting that I won't make it at all. He said, 'Don't worry, Micha. Usually between these buildings there are these fire walls,'" Gerland recalls.

Unfortunately, all that remains of the building is debris. 

"I was kind of in shock. I was really calm.  I still don't realize it," he says.  

For now, Gerland is staying with a friend. Red Cross representatives says 125 people have registered with them. Thursday night it housed 38 families who were victims. Friday, that number was down to 20. 

"There were a series of disaster survivors who were taken back to some of the buildings where they are able to go back and retrieve some of their belongings or some of their pharmaceutical needs," says Josh Lockwood, CEO of the New York region's American Red Cross.

Meanwhile, Gerland is starting to pick up the pieces. He is already back at work and making long-term arrangements.

"I am German so I am going to the German consulate. I am getting a passport for starters. I have to get my green card and then we will see," he says.

He got so many text messages people who were worried.  nd then we were all talking about what we should do how can we help him go back to his feet," says Gerland's boss, Sylvia Lochmann.

A GoFundMe site has been set up to help Gerland and his roommates. If you would like to donate, you can go to Gofundme.com/q5vbbw4.