KATHMANDU, JULY 16 The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Panasonic Holdings Corporation have partnered to strengthen climate-resilient maternal and newborn healthcare in Nepal by donating 198 solar lanterns to health facilities and female community health volunteers in Jajarkot and Rautahat districts. The in-kind contribution agreement, signed virtually on July 14, aims to ensure uninterrupted maternal and newborn health services during power outages and climate-related emergencies. The initiative complements the Government of Japan-funded Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services and Adaptive Capacity in Nepal project being implemented by UNFPA. According to the organisations, the solar lanterns will be distributed to selected health facilities and female community health volunteers in Jajarkot of Karnali Province and Rautahat of Madhesh Province, districts that face frequent disruptions from natural disasters and unreliable electricity supply. The support is expected to benefit an estimated 47,898 women and newborns annually by enabling safe deliveries, emergency care, night-time referrals and home visits. UNFPA Nepal Country Representative Sriram Haridass said reliable lighting is critical for maintaining essential maternal and newborn services in remote, disaster-prone communities, while Panasonic Corporate Citizenship Office General Manager Akiyo Doumoto said the donation reflects the company's commitment to supporting off-grid communities through its global 'LIGHT UP THE FUTURE' initiative. The organisations said the project has already assessed 20 health facilities, upgraded 10 to improve climate resilience and supported the preparation of nine climate-adaptive municipal plans. Since 2022, Panasonic and UNFPA have collaborated to distribute solar lanterns in off-grid communities across Africa and Asia. UNFPA said the initiative seeks to improve the resilience of Nepal's health system against increasingly frequent climate-related disasters, particularly in vulnerable districts still recovering from earthquakes, floods and other extreme weather events.